COSTA MESA, Calif - The Warriors made a convincing statement this weekend, sweeping the only other nationally ranked GSAC opponent, Vanguard University, on the road. Jessup was able to overcome early deficits to finalize the last win, putting them at 24-6 overall and 15-2 in GSAC play.  

In game one, Will Law wasted no time in getting Jessup on the board with a solo homer in the top of the 1st inning.  After Tristan Prybylinski went 3 up, 3 down on the mound in the bottom of the 1st Jessup decided to further their lead in the top of the 2nd.  A pair of singles from Steve Pastora and Noah Shackles started the inning off.  Kawai Takemura would follow with a double down the line, pushing Pastora across the plate to take the 2-0 advantage. 

The Warriors continued to heat up in the batter's box in the top of the 3rd, as a Law single, followed by an Austen Swift double to put Jessup ahead 3-0. With Swift sitting at second and Pastora on first, Josh Duitsman's double earned him 2 RBIs as the runners on base both made it home safely.  Once again, Takemura put the ball into play, allowing Duitsman to round the bases and give Jessup the 6-0 early lead. 

The Lions, not going down without a fight, managed to cut the lead to 6-4, heading into the 7th inning.  Jessup answered back, refusing to be complacent with a 2-run lead.  With bases loaded, Sam Curtis would take his base on a walk, bringing home Shackles.  Duitsman, taking advantage of Cal Koga's sac fly, came home to keep the inning going.  Another single from Law would see Takemura cross the plate, finishing the innings 9-4 Jessup. 

In the top of the 9th, Joe Howell and Swift would both make it around the bases, giving Jessup the 11-4 advantage.  Continuing his run of scoreless innings, Tyler Fujimoto would secure the win for Jessup in the bottom of the ninth. 

In a drizzly game two, the Warriors found themselves trailing the Lions early in the game.  It wasn't until the top of the 4th that Jessup would find their familiar rhythm of bringing batters home.  

Pastora started it off with a double, quickly advancing to third on a wild pitch. Now sitting in scoring position, Shackles' RBI single put Jessup on the board, 2-1 in favor of the Lions.  Singles from Duitsman and Takemura would bring home the tying run to put each ball team at two apiece.  It was Alex Nasukiewicz's single that put Jessup back in control as Duitsman came home, ending the inning 3-2, Warriors lead.  

Vanguard responded in the bottom of the frame, tying up the game 3-3, but the Warriors came alive offensively in the top of the 5th. With bases loaded, Shackle's single through the left side brought Law and Joe Starick home, giving Jessup the 5-3 edge.  Takemura's RBI single saw Pastora home, as Nasukiewicz's RBI single brought Shackle's across the plate, putting Jessup in the lead, 7-3. 

The Lions made a rallying effort over the next two innings but the Warriors held them at bay, securing the 7-5 win and completing the sweep.  Head Coach Jake McKinley commented, "That was a hard-fought series and I'm proud of our group for finding different ways to win games. The effort was stellar all weekend and several different contributors chipped in."

Looking ahead in their conference play, Coach McKinley comments, "I'm proud of our players for their continued relentlessness in the practice and game settings. It's a privilege to be around them every day and we all look forward to preparing for a very good Master's team."

The Warriors come home for a nonconference game against Simpson University this week, followed by a conference series against The Master's University. With inclement weather in the forecast, please be sure to check the Jessup Athletics website for up to date information.  William Jessup University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on William Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: William Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat).