COSTA MESA, Calif. - In an elimination game against the one again Vanguard Lions, the Warriors had to go to extra inning to secure their spot for the GSAC Softball Championship, and they did just that with a walk-off single in extra innings to defeat the Lions 3-2.
This was the second time the Warriors faced the Lions this week, their last meeting shutting them out 4-0 in game one of the tournament. The Lions would go on to beat the Oaks and face the Warriors again for a shot at the Championship duel on Thursday. Outlasting the Lions, the Warriors eliminated the 2017 Tournament Champions and No. 6 in the nation in the eighth inning walk off.
In both their second games of the day, the Lions would attack early pushing a run across in the opening inning to show they were here for a fight. It would take a couple innings for the Warriors to find their groove but they came alive in the third inning to steal the lead.
Starting pitcher
Shelbi Graifman would help herself out on the offensive side with two runners on hitting a double to the right side to bring in
Corina Salinas and
Abbie Lewis to take the 2-1 lead.
Again, answering right back was the Lions bringing the tying run across the plate to even the score after four innings.
The game would go silent for the remainder of regulation pushing it to extra innings with the Lions up first but the Warriors with the final chance in the bottom of the frame.
Taya Ruiz would get things started with a single and
Jena Ovens would follow suit with a bunt single beating out the throw. With two outs on the board and two runners on,
Stephanie Scott would step into the box and single to left field, scoring Ovens from second for the victory over the Lions, 3-2.
The Warriors will have to battle back again tomorrow taking on the undefeated Hope International Royals, game one starting at 1 pm and game two at 3:30 pm for a chance to head to the NAIA Regional Tournament.
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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).
