SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Following a four-game non-conference series this past week, Jessup returned to GSAC action on Tuesday down at Westmont College. In two tightly contested games, pitching made the final impact as the two Warriors split to start the day.
Game one rocketed off to a start thanks to the bat of
Mike Shoenberger. With two out in the first, Shoenberger sent a no-doubt blast over the wall in left to put Jessup ahead 1-0. Westmont quickly tied the game as a leadoff double eventually came around to score on a sacrifice fly.
Leadoff doubles and runs became a trend for Westmont, as in the third and fifth innings as well, they would tack on a run after the leadoff man reached on a double, eventually scoring.
With Jessup trailing 3-2 in the sixth, Westmont went to the bullpen, calling on left-hander Will Anderson. Looking to match a right-handed batter against the lefty, Head Coach
Trevor Paine called on
Dustin McElwain and
Kreighton Tsuruda-Gaspar to pinch-hit. McElwain led off the inning with a double, and Tsuruda-Gaspar put the Warriors ahead with a pinch-hit home run.
"Those were two decisions (
Tai Mitchell), and I discussed between innings," said Paine on the righty-lefty matchup. "Dustin handles lefties pretty well and puts together good at-bats. Kreighton faced the same pitcher earlier in the season and hit a home run, so we knew he saw him well."
Jessup would reap the benefits of another pinch-hit home run in the eighth, as
Jacob Gribbin sent one over the wall in right-center to give WJU a much-needed insurance run.
Adding to the success of their pinch-hitters, Paine said, "It's awesome to see guys ready to perform when their number is called. The pinch hitters in game one were awesome."
Brad Jones started game one and lasted five innings before being replaced by
Marlin Brucato. Brucato was lights out in relief, finishing the final four innings while surrendering just three hits. His best showing came in the eighth, as Westmont tacked on a run, but Brucato managed to get out of a jam and strand the potential tying run on third.
"Marlin was great today," noted Paine. "Marlin's best quality is his unbelievable competitiveness. Today we saw what makes him so good, and when he got in those tight spots, he competed and executed his pitches."
Westmont would get the tying run to second base in the ninth, but Brucato closed the door, securing a 5-4 win.
Jessup again struck first in game two but in slower fashion as they stayed patient at the plate, drawing three first-inning walks. With the bases loaded,
Dante Peretti drew a free pass that drove in
Kevin Jordan Jr.
Getting the start for Westmont in game two was Jameson Kruger. After one inning, Kruger's outing looked like it was near its end, but Westmont's pitcher was seemingly untouchable from that point as he held Jessup scoreless for the final six innings, allowing just three hits and striking out seven.
Also looking masterful on the mound was Jessup's
Max Moreno. Moreno took a perfect game into the fifth inning, retiring the first 12 batters he faced in order. As Moreno walked out to the mound to start the fifth, the game had to press pause as a swarm of bees overtook the field.
Once the game resumed, Moreno surrendered a double to the first batter he saw, ending the no-hit bid. Westmont would get to Moreno in the sixth, plating two runs on a trio of hits as they took a 2-1 lead.
On Moreno's day, Paine stated, "Max was great today as well, and he deserved better with that outing. The brief delay might have thrown off his rhythm for a batter or two, but he got it back and executed some big pitches."
The first four batters in the final inning all reached base as Jessup tried to string together a late rally, but no runs scored as Jessup made two outs on the base path off a fielder's choice and a failed double-steal. The eventual tying run would be left stranded at third.
Jessup moves to 17-15 overall on the season, 8-10 in conference play. Hoping to take the series, Jessup will be back on the field in Santa Barbara tomorrow as they will play another doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m.
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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 and Instagram).
