COSTA MESA, Calif. - The Jessup softball team stepped into today with their eyes on the program's first Championship Tournament title meanwhile a battle was before them as they had to beat their opponent twice before claiming the hardware. This was no feat the Warriors hadn't overcome but an early lead wasn't enough as a single run would give the Royals the automatic bid to the NAIA Tournament with the 2-1 victory.

Facing the Royals just 24-hours prior, the Warriors took the diamond with a single loss under their belt and would have to beat Hope International twice to win the trophy. This was the fourth-straight GSAC Championship Tournament appearance for the program and second championship game debut in the same number of years for the Warriors.

The game opened with a quick one-two-three in the top of the first for the Warriors as two Royals popped up and Shelbi Graifman retired the final batter looking. The following five innings would remain scoreless as Graifman continued to dominate the circle with eight more strikeouts.

Leading off for Jessup in the fifth was designated hitter Rachael Hooper who started things off with a single to right as Lauren Garoutte came in to pinch run for her. Making her way to second on a steal, the go-ahead run was in scoring position.  Stephanie Scott would push Garoutte to third with one out as Corina Salinas stepped into the box and hit a sacrifice fly to score the first run of the game. 

The Royals would answer right back in the next frame with a pair of runs to take the lead 2-1 as Jessup had just two more innings to battle back. But a quick three outs in the sixth and seventh inning would crown Hope International the conference champions with an automatic bid to regionals.

Going into the tournament the Warriors were receiving votes for the NAIA Coaches' Top 25 poll and with a pair of wins over No. 5 in the country, eliminating Vanguard from the tournament, there is still an opportunity for an at-large berth to Regionals. 

With a 31-16 overall record, the Warriors set the program's most wins in school history and the best record in progam history, period. The NAIA postseason berths will be announced Tuesday, May 8th to decide the fate of the Warriors' season to continue or not. 

   
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).