LINCOLN, Calif. - The Warriors returned home to continue conference play this week against (RV) The Master's University.  Jessup's efforts at the plate proved to be too much for the visiting Mustangs with six home runs, now leading the nation with 54 total as the Warriors took both games in today's doubleheader. With these wins under their belt, No. 7 Jessup advances to 28-6 overall and 18-2 in GSAC play. 

Josh Duitsman got things rolling in the bottom of the 2nd when he hit one out of the park for a 2 run homer, bringing Noah Shackles across the plate with him.  Not to be outdone by his fellow infielder, Will Law sent one over the fences shortly after, sending Cal Koga home, and giving Jessup the 4-0 lead in the bottom of the frame. 

It became a pitchers duel until the bottom of the 8th when the Warriors exploded offensively.  Sam Curtis started it off with a double, who quickly advanced to third on a fielder's choice.  Soon following his move to the corner, he came home on a passed ball putting the Warriors up 5-0.  With Law on first, Austen Swift stepped up and homered over the left field fence, furthering the distance to 7-0.  Continuing to keep the bats hot, Dakota Spillers, pinch-hitting for Starick, hit a solo homer followed by another ball knocked out of the park by Steve Pastora.  These back-to-back-to-back homers put Jessup at a comfortable 9-0 lead, with one inning left to play. 

The Mustangs would rally for a single run in the top of the 9th but aggressive pitching from Ashkhon Kuhaulua would keep Master's at bay. The ace, who is now 6-2 on the season, scattered 4 hits throughout the entire 9 innings, retiring 11 batters. 

Game 2 of the doubleheader got off to a quick start for the Warriors as a string of singles from Law, Swift, and Starick would eventually lead to a 1-0 advantage in the bottom of the 1st frame. 

The Warriors continued to create space between themselves and the Mustangs in the bottom of the 2nd.  Duitsman started the inning with a single but was brought around the bags as Curtis hit the 6th home run of the day to put the score at 3-0.

Master's closed the gap 3-2 in the top of the 4th but the Warriors would find a way, once again, to distance themselves.  With Curtis on 2nd and Swift on 1st, Starick hit a double up the middle to push Curtis across the plate, ending the inning 4-2 in Jessup's favor. 

Jessup continued to build on their lead in the bottom of the 5th as a Curtis' RBI single brought Duitsman home for the final Warrior's run.  The Mustangs put one more up on the board, but reliever Tyler Fujimoto held them to only one hit in the final two innings, securing the 5-3 win. 

Head Coach Jake McKinley reflected on today's performance, "I am proud of the collective effort today. There were multiple contributors on both sides of the ball. Our pitching gave us a chance to win and we were able to get big swings when we needed them."

The Warriors will be back in action at McBean Park tomorrow at 1 pm.  "Master's is a really good club and will be tough tomorrow. We need to come out with intensity and commit to playing inspired baseball, much like we did today," comments Coach McKinley.  

   
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).