COSTA MESA, Calif. - Coming off a sweep in San Diego, the Jessup softball team headed to their next battle against No. 8 in the country Vanguard Lions for the remainder of game two from late March and a doubleheader. The Warriors fell behind in game one but were able to bounce back to split with the Lions in a 1-0 victory.

Starting the day off in the fifth inning from the previous matchup on March 27th, the Warriors went into it trailing 7-1. Two quick runs for the Lions and no attack back in the bottom of the six from Jessup would close the game at 9-1.

The Lions would have an explosive first inning putting five runs on the board to start the doubleheader but would go silent the remainder of the game behind starting pitcher Shelbi Graifman who went six innings allowing five runs on eight hits with a pair of strikeouts. 

Natalie Basaldua would get the first of the total four hits for the Warriors in the top of the second to open the inning but a quick one-two-three to follow would leave her stranded. It would be the fifth inning where a spark was struck as Graifman started things off with a single and Basaldua would get her second hit pushing Graifman to scoring position. With two outs and a pair of runners on base, Taya Ruiz would break through with an RBI single for the Warriors solo run of the game.

The Lions would shut the Warriors down the following two innings and vice-versa as Vanguard took their first inning surge to the end for the 5-1 advantage.

Despite the pair of losses to start the series, Jessup continued to grind back in the final game in a down to the wire battle with only one run crossing the plate.

The Warriors would collect 7 hits against the Lions in game two led by Jenna Patterson going 2-for-3 and Jena Ovens 1-for-3 and the scoring the game-winning run. 

The fifth inning would bring the Warriors luck again as the game was still locked at zeroes and Ovens propelled things with a single, while Rachael Hooper pushed her around with a single down the leftfield line. Lewis would get on as the Warriors capitalized on a Lion error and bring Ovens in to score the only run of the game.

Graifman (22-10) would shut things down the following three innings from the circle allowing just two hits and a strong defense solidifying the 1-0 victory.

Coming back home for the remainder of the regular season, the Warriors will hit the diamond on Tuesday for a makeup series against San Diego Christian at 11 am and 1 pm, followed by their series on Saturday against conference foe Menlo College for a doubleheader starting at 2 pm.
   
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).