LAKESIDE, Calif. - Jessup continued their winning ways during their doubleheader with GSAC opponent, San Diego Christian today.  The currently ranked No. 6 in the nation Warriors have now swept their last 4 conference series, advancing to 32-6 overall, 22-2 in conference play now 7 games ahead in GSAC standings. 

Jessup continued where they left off yesterday and quickly put 2 runs up on the board in the top of the first, courtesy of an Austen Swift 2-run homer.  The Hawks were quick to respond with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame, tying up the game at 2 apiece.

The Warriors would find their offensive momentum again in the top of the 4th, as a pair of singles from Steve Pastora and Josh Duitsman would get the inning going.  A Sam Curtis double would be just enough to get both of them around, giving Jessup the 4-2 lead. 

In the top of the 6th, Connor Braun started the Warriors off with a double to left field.  With 2 outs on the board, Dakota Spillers RBI single would bring Braun home, solidifying the win for Jessup, 5-2.  

Tyler Fujimoto was credited with the win, going 3 innings and sitting down 4 batters.  Curtis continues his dominance from the mound, pitching 2 innings and striking out 4 batters as well. 

"I thought the key to this series and the games today were our bench players and bullpen," head coach Jake McKinley said. "Having Sam and Tyler available to pitch late in games is crucial and they both get you to the finish line when used with good timing. Those guys did a great job making big pitches when we needed them." 

In familiar fashion, the Warriors started off Game 2 by putting 2 runs up in the top of the 1st.  With Will Law sitting on 2nd and Swift on 1st, Pastora would triple to right field, putting Jessup up 2-0. 

The Hawks answered back in the bottom of the 2nd with two runs to tie up the game but a solo homer from Swift in the top of the 3rd would give Jessup back the lead.  However, it was short-lived as San Diego brought home the tying run in the bottom of the frame, putting the ballgame at 3-3. 

Headed into the 7th inning Jessup found it's necessary offensive spark as Joe Starick stepped up and homered to lead off the inning, putting Jessup back out in front 4-3.  The Warriors would finish off the inning with Duitsman getting on base, and eventually home, on a string of errors by the Hawks, giving the Warriors the 5-3 edge.  Curtis would return to the mound to close out the inning and secure the win. 

Coach McKinley knew Joe would accept the challenge in the pinch-hitting spot, "Kudos to Joe Starick for coming up with a big swing in a big pinch hitting spot. He's been lights out all year and it's because of his diligent preparation every day." 

Andrew Shaps received the win, having gone 3 innings, allowing no hits and retiring 4 batters. 

The Warriors return home for a midweek series against GSAC opponent, Hope International, playing at McBean Park on March 28th at 2 pm followed by a doubleheader on March 29th starting at 11 am. 

"We have a short week coming up so we need to work hard in the limited practice time we have and get rested up," McKinley concluded. "I'm proud of our guys for their efforts and look forward to another series with them."

   
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).