LINCOLN, Calif. - The Warriors welcomed the national defending champions, Southern Oregon for their home-opener as Jessup softball looked to open their six-games over the next three days strong. That is exactly what they did as they handed the Raiders just their third loss of the season in walk-off fashion, but the hungry visiting SOU bounced back game two for a series split as the Warriors are now 2-4.

Neither team pushing one across until the fourth inning in game one as the Raiders led the force with back-to-back-to-back singles for the 1-0 lead. But Jessup wouldn't wait long to answer back as the bottom of the frame would find one for the Warriors with a lead-off single from Mehana Johns and a double by senior Natalie Basaldua to bring her in. Taya Ruiz would add a single herself and circle around with two stolen bases but would be left on as the game was tied 1-1.

The final inning would be the deciding factor as the Raiders would get a pair on early and a sac-fly would score the final run for SOU. 

With the final frame before them, the Warriors trailed 2-1. 

A walk-off error propelled the Jessup Warriors to a decisive, dramatic victory over Southern Oregon, 3-2 as Shay Trent got on with a single and stole second to get in scoring position. Chelsie Kam-Aweau would move her over and Trent would tie it up on a passed ball. Kaela Hangebrauck walked and nabbed another steal for the Warriors and would score the final run as an overthrow by the Raiders was the final defeat. 

Johns led William Jessup Warriors with two hits in three at-bats. Freshman Katie Blankenheim would earn her second win of the season pitching a complete game allowing just 2 runs on 10 hits.

In game two, an early lead from the visiting Raiders would be enough as the Warriors couldn't overcome some defensive errors to take two from the No. 1 SOU. 

The Warriors would find the board in two innings as Hailey Hiett singled to left in the bottom of the third, coming around to score with a stolen base and a double by Johns. The next and final run would be tallied in the fifth as Johns singled, followed by Basaldua and a bases-loaded sac-fly by Kam-Aweau would score a run.

The Raiders would combine for 8 of their 10 runs in the final three frames to take the victory 10-2. Terra Goetz led the Warriors in the circle for four innings with a strikeout before Taylor Swift closed it out for Jessup in the final three frames.

Head coach Brie Campbell said taking one of two against the defending champions isn't a bad outing at all. "We fought back in game one and capitalized when we needed to. The tides would reverse in the second game as the Raiders were able to maximize our defensive struggles, while our bats were consistent, it wasn't enough. Once all the pieces come together, it will be a different outcome, couldn't be more proud of the fight and competitive drive the ladies possessed today."

Jessup will take a short ride north to play back-to-back matchups against Eastern Oregon and Simpson on Saturday and Sunday before returning home for a break next week, followed by their conference opener in Arizona.