ROCKLIN, Calif. - Jessup softball started the 2019 campaign this afternoon in a doubleheader at home against Notre Dame de Namur with an early first pitch to beat out the Norcal rain. The pair of wins came in walk-off fashion as Jessup took the 5-4 victory in the final inning of game one, and delivered the final run in game two in the bottom of the fifth to defeat the Argonauts 8-0.

"Today was a good first step for us," head coach in her inaugural season with the Warriors, Kristen Drage commented. "Numerous players stepped up throughout both games and made big plays. We didn't execute perfectly on offense but applying pressure in every inning with runners on base made up for it."

GAME 1
The battle between the Warriors and Argonauts was alive as both teams were determined to start their season off strong. An early lead by the visiting team would be answered back by the Warriors in the second inning as Lauren Garoutte hit her first RBI-single of the game, bringing in junior Taya Ruiz to score.

But the Warriors would continue to have to play catch up as the Argonauts pushed two more across in the top of the fourth for the 3-1 advantage, the Warriors against answering back with a pair of runs as Garoutte, again, racks up another RBI-single to the outfield, and Kaylee Surrell reaches on a fielder's choice and brings in Natalie Basaldua with the bases loaded.  

Their first lead of the game would come in the bottom of the fourth as Ruiz hits the RBI single to score Chelsie Kam-Aweau who led off with a single. But the fireworks would come in the final inning as Notre Dame de Namur scored the tying run with two outs in the top of the seventh, forcing the Warriors to answer back in the final frame, or push it to extra innings.

Setting the precedence early, Jena Ovens started the inning with a triple, placing the Warriors in scoring position with no outs. Basaldua would come through with the fielder's choice as Ovens took off from third to score, to win their first game of the season 5-4.

Brooke Sarro would lead the Warriors from the circle for the first win of the season in her 7-inning outing.

Drage stressed composure at the plate heading into game two, "The biggest adjustment we talked about between games was to just have a relaxed approach at the plate. The girls were excited to get out there and play and at sometimes we're a little too anxious. In the second game, they were more relaxed and waited for a better pitch to drive." 

GAME 2

The roles would be reversed in game two as the Warriors shut down the Argonauts in the opening frame behind starting pitcher, senior Jenna Patterson, who went on to collect the win her in four innings pitched with a pair of strikeouts. 

The Warriors would hit the board first in the bottom of the first as a pair of singles led things off by Abbie Lewis and Kam-Aweau, later coming in to score on a sacrifice fly by Basaldua for the 1-0 lead after two. Another run would cross the plate for Jessup in the next inning as Patterson helped her team outside of the circle, but in the box with a triple, coming in to score on a throwing error and the 2-0 advantage.

Five runs would secure the lead for the Warriors in the bottom of the fourth where a double by Ruiz scored the first run followed by Patterson snagged her second triple of the game to bring in Ruiz. Garoutte would make her way around the bases to score after a single and a stolen base, coming in to score as Jordyn Turner hit a 2-RBI double to extend the lead 7-0.

Taylor Garcia would close out the game in the circle for Jessup in the top of the fifth, followed by another walk-off for Jessup where Garoutte hit the third triple of the game, most for a single game in program history, scoring Ruiz for the 8-run rule in the fifth inning.

"In the second game, our offense showed what they are capable of. With power and speed throughout the entire line up when all of it comes together it can be explosive," Drage said. "Ovens stepping up in the bottom of the 7th was big for us as I thought a lot of our seniors did today. Garoutte came through two times earlier and Sarro made big pitches throughout the game." 

Garoutte led the Warriors on the day going 4-for-6 with 4 RBI's followed by Ruiz going 3-for-5 with 2 RBI's and Lewis going 3-for-6. 

The Warriors will head to Redding next weekend, weather dependent to take on two nationally recognized teams, Eastern Oregon and the home team, Simpson. 

"A lot of players were battling through some injuries today and playing out of position. It's great to know that we are capable to compete at a high level when we are not at 100%," Drage concluded on the season to come, "I'm excited to use this week to get our players healthy and come out and compete against two tough NAIA teams next weekend."
   
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).