LINCOLN, Calif. - Entering into their final home series of the regular season, the Warriors hosted the Arizona Christian Firestorm today in a back and forth battle. At the end nine, it was Jessup who was victorious, courtesy of a handful of multi-run innings and tight defense. With the win, the Warriors advance to 32-13 overall and 24-7 in GSAC play.
"I thought we did a lot of things well today and had timely hits," head coach
Jake McKinley reflected. "Ash (Kuhaulua) gave a gritty performance despite not having his best stuff. It is important that we continue to take it one game at a time and I believe the maturity of our group will propel that consistent mindset."
Jessup started off uncharacteristically slow in the batter's box the first 2 innings but broke through in the third. A
Cal Koga single up the middle to bring home
Sam Curtis who was sitting on third put the Warriors up on the board, cutting the Firestorm's 4-1 lead. With
Austen Swift on second and
Andrew Shaps, pinch running for Koga, on first, a single from
Joe Starick combined with a throwing error would see home both players on base, bringing the Warriors within one run of ACU and ending the inning at 4-3.
Arizona added a run in the top of the 4th but Swift answered back with a 2-run homer in the bottom of the 5th to tie the game at 5 apiece.
The turning point in the game came in the bottom of the sixth as Jessup managed to put up a 4 spot, beginning with a solo homer from
Connor Braun. With bases loaded, a
Will Law single to right center would bring home 2 more runs, increasing the Warrior's lead to 8-5. The final run would come from heads-up offense as Law found himself in a pickle between first and second, allowing Curtis to steal home to round out the inning 9-4.
The Firestorm would rally to put 2 more runs on the board in the top of the eighth but Jessup answered back with 2 more insurance runs of their own, clinching the win with a final score of 11-7.
The Warriors continue their home series tomorrow at McBean Park with a doubleheader starting at 11 am. There will be a Senior Day celebration between games, commencing at approximately 2pm, honoring the 12 seniors on the team.
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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).
