COSTA MESA, Calif. - The William Jessup softball team headed to their fourth-straight GSAC Tournament taking on their biggest opponent off the bat in No. 1 and nationally ranked Vanguard University. Taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the third, the Warriors added another three runs in two innings to secure the opening round game with a 4-0 victory over the Lions.

Heading into the matchup 1-3 for the regular season series, the Warriors knew a strong start would be needed to take down the Lions on their home field. Leading from the circle was Co-GSAC Pitcher of the Year for the second year in a row, Shelbi Graifman who earned her 27th win of the season. 

With a pair of scoreless innings, the Warriors broke in the scoreboard in the top of the third capitalizing on a Lion's error with one runner on. Corina Salinas would push Stephanie Scott over to scoring position. Graifman would step into the box with two outs and a runner on second bringing her in for the first run of the game and 1-0 advantage to start things off. 

Jenna Patterson would get her second hit of the game in the following inning with a triple to right field but would be stranded as the last out of the inning retired the Warriors. Nevertheless, it wouldn't be long before the Warriors rallied again in the top of the fifth.

 Scott would capitalize again reaching on a Lions error as Abbie Lewis hit a single to put two runners on and one in scoring position. It would Graifman again that came through with a single up the middle to bring Salinas across with Natalie Basaldua stepping into the box. The final run of the inning would reach on another error by the Lions to extend the lead 3-0 headed into the bottom of the fifth inning.

Defensively Taya Ruiz would get the Warriors out of two runners on in the following frame with a caught line drive and quick step on first for the double play to end the inning. 

The Warriors would add an insurance run in the final inning as Lewis hit a single to shortstop and Graifman pushed her over to scoring position. Basaldua would rip one through the right side to bring Lewis in to secure the 4-0 lead headed into the final three outs.

Graifman would retire two of the three batters in the final inning pitching the complete seven-inning outing allowing just two hits and three strikeouts.

The Warriors will continue the postseason run for a nationals bid tomorrow at 10:30 am, taking on the winner of the Hope International and Menlo College matchup this afternoon.   
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).