ROCKLIN, Calif. - The Jessup softball team made their way back to their home field for the first conference matchup at Azevedo Park since the preseason to host nationally ranked Hope International. The Warriors and Royals battled in their third extra-inning game of the season with Hope finishing on top in the bottom of the ninth 9-8, but Jessup rallied back to split in a 4-2 victory in game two. 

Leading the Warriors in the circle to start things off was Shelbi Graifman collecting 9 strikeouts in the first four innings, opening the first frame sending three batters to the bench. The board would light up for the first time in the bottom of the fourth as Graifman started with a double and Natalie Basaldua sent one over the left field fence to take a 2-0 lead.

The Royals would answer right back pushing a trio of runs across for the lead in the top of the fifth and another two runs would favor Hope for the 5-2 advantage. In the top of the seventh, they would add another run before Jessup responded in the last chance inning.

A pair of singles would start things off from Taya Ruiz and Jena Ovens. With two outs, Jenna Patterson would reach on a fielding error and Stephanie Scott would load the bases with a single. A single run would get things started as Corina Salinas reached on an error and a walk followed to bring a run in as the Warriors cut the lead to 6-4.  It would be Graifman hitting her second double of the game to push the tying run across as the Warriors pushed it to the international tiebreaker.

The Royals would strike first and the Warriors would follow pushing it to another extra inning. It would be a pair of runs that did it for Hope as the Warriors matched one but were unable to push a tying run across, losing 9-8.

Continuing to battle the Warriors took charge in game two hitting the board early with a pair of runs on a two-out rally started by Ovens. She would move over to scoring position on a steal as Patterson singled with runners now on first and third. It would Mikayla Laymance would bring in another run with an RBI single as the Warriors took the early lead.

The third run for Jessup would come in the following inning with Basaldua brining in Abbie Lewis.

Two runs would come in for the Royals on a Jessup error but that would be the closest they come as the Warriors added one more insurance run in the bottom of the sixth with another RBI single by Laymance for the 4-2 win.

The Warriors will continue this week with two more series this weekend starting with San Diego Christian on Friday and then take on Vanguard University on Saturday.

   
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).