IRVINE, Calif. - Jessup baseball would make it to their second-straight GSAC Championship title game in a rematch with the No. 3 seed, Hope International Royals. An early lead by the Royals and another four innings of runs late in the game would secure the win over the Warriors, 8-3.

"We showed incredible perseverance and mental toughness throughout the week and today was no exception," head coach Trevor Paine said. "Ultimately, we just came up a little bit short. Being able to withstand Hope's comeback in game 1 and come out on top was another great example."

The home team got things started early posting four runs in the two opening frames, but a solo shot by Kawaiola Takemura would get Jessup on the board in the top of the third. A strong fourth inning would close the gap to a single run as Will Law came in on a Joshua Duitsman single to make it 4-2.

The final run for the visiting Warriors came across the plate as Noah Shackles earned the RBI bringing in pinch runner Kupono Decker to close the Royals' lead, 4-3.

Hope would continue to capitalize on the lead posting a single run in the fifth and seventh, with the final two runs of the game coming in off a home run in the bottom of the eighth.

Takemura led the Warriors with two of the seven hits, including an RBI home run. Solo hits would belong to Cal Koga, Austen Swift, Grant St. Martin, Duitsman and Jordan Williams. 

In the most recent NAIA Coaches' Poll, the Warriors received a No. 15 ranking after a 19-1 finish to the regular season, clinching the regular-season title. They will await their fate as the NAIA Opening Rounds will be announced on March 9th with the 37-12 Warriors still looking to continue their season with postseason play.

Paine went on to comment on Jessup baseball's hope for a continued season, "We look forward to having our name called during the selection show and finding where we will be going. Going through the grind of this week has given us great preparation for a regional."  
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).