SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Warriors continued their Arizona stint against OUAZ on Saturday dropping game one of the doubleheader 2-0 before bouncing back to win game two 6-5. The victory in game two is the first conference win of the season and ended the Arizona road trip on a high note. Jessup now stands 1-3 in conference and 5-9 overall.

"This weekend we continued to learn a lot about who we are as a team," head coach Brie Campbell reflected after the four-game road trip. "There is still a lot of season left, and in that, a lot of work to be done to put the pieces together and work our way to where we are capable of being."

Game one featured strong pitching by both teams, but the Spirit would prevail at the plate scoring single runs in third and fifth innings to earn the 2-0 victory over the Warriors. For the Warriors starting pitcher Taylor Swift  utilized a variety of pitches and speeds to record 18 outs in the contest.

Ultimately, Swift was in the circle for six strong innings, allowing seven hits and two runs while striking out two and walking one.

Coach Campbell commented, "Taylor pitched well enough for us to win today and when we put this  type of pitching with the strong hitting that we are capable of we will have something special."

However, in game one of this contest offensively the only bright spots for Jessup was a double by Terra Goetz in the third inning and senior Natalie Basaldua's lead off single in the fourth.

In game two on Saturday the Warriors showed off their offense early and often earning a 5-1 lead after the top of the third before ultimately holding off a late OUAZ rally with timely pitching and defense for the 6-5 victory. 

Mehana Johns led the way with two hits, two runs, and three RBI's.  John's got the offense rolling right away with a first-inning solo home run, her second of the season. But OUAZ would answer back in the bottom of the second frame with the same, tying it up 1-1.

The Warriors pulled away for good with four runs in the third inning  Haley Hiett singled on the first pitch of her at-bat, scoring one run, Johns singled on a 3-2 count, scoring two runs, and Natalie Basaldua doubled on a 2-0 count, scoring one run.

Katie Blankenheim toed the rubber allowing seven hits and three runs over five innings, striking out one and walking one to earn her team leading third win on the season.

The Warriors racked up 12 hits in the game with Kayla Altheide, Johns, and Hiett each collecting multiple hits, as Altheide led the way with a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate.  

"To see the team respond with the bats in game two is encouraging after a tough road offensively in game one," Campbell said. "We have a resilient group of ladies that will continue to grow as our season progresses."

The Warriors will return to the diamond this Friday welcoming a non-conference doubleheader against Marymount before hosting Menlo College on Saturday.  
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).