LINCOLN, Calif. – Coming off a split yesterday at McBean Park, the Warriors welcomed the nation's sixth-ranked team for two more on Saturday. After a barrage of runs in game one by Vanguard, Jessup produced a comeback for the ages as it was the pitcher who produced the walk-off winner.
 
After the game, Head Coach Trevor Paine stated that while he wants to win a series, a split against a good team helps too. "When a good team comes to our yard and puts it on us in game one today, to be able to rebound and execute late and to win, you'll take a split. We'd like to start winning some series, but it's better than losing a series."
 
Vanguard got their scoring done early in game one, plating three as Joe Johnson sent a three-run homer to right. The Lions would send home another three in the second, followed by a five-run inning in the third to take a quick 11-0 lead on Jessup's Danny Chavez.
 
For Vanguard, runs were scored in all but two innings as they put up 18 on the day, winning the game 18-11.
 
For the Warriors, the offense started in the fourth as five runs came home, backed by back-to-back two-run doubles from Dustin McElwain and Kawaiola Takemura. For McElwain, who entered the game as a pinch hitter, it was the second game in a row where he produced a two-bagger off the bench.
 
Paine commented on McElwain's play as of late, stating, "He's done a really good job in his pinch-hitting roles. He's hard-working hard in early work, in practice, and the cage. He's earned the opportunity to continue to get opportunities in the game."
 
Trailing by 11 entering the final inning, Jessup began to rally, plating four thanks to a two-run double from Jordan Yu, followed by an RBI single from Max Modeste. The rally would not be enough, but it did create momentum for game two.
 
After Vanguard again took a first-inning lead in game two, thanks this time to a two-run homer, Jessup quickly struck back with a run on a fielder's choice. The Warriors caught a bad break on the play, as an errant throw to second tagged Mike Shoenberger on the leg, which negated what could have been a wild throw into the outfield that allowed Shoenberger to move to third.
 
One batter later, Modeste lined a ball right to the shortstop that set up an easy double-play at second.
 
Vanguard plated three runs throughout the middle innings on a trio of solo home runs. They would push their lead to 6-1 with a run in the seventh, setting up a need for a five-run comeback in the game's final inning.
 
In the seventh, after starting pitcher Ricardo Torres Jr. left the game after 6.1 innings of work, Jessup went to what has become a traditional change, sending Yu to the mound from left field.
 
Takemura continued his great day, in which he went a total of 7-for-10, with a two-run single in the seventh to cut the lead to 6-3.
 
Paine loved what he saw out of his table-setter Takemura, stating, "He was good all weekend. We go as he goes at the top of the lineup. Things kind of flow from there when Kawai's playing well."
 
After a single from Kevin Jordan Jr. drove in two, Yu would produce in the batter's box as he singled through the right side, plating Shoenberger to tie the game at 6-6. Jessup had a chance to walk it off in the seventh, loading the bases with nobody out, but Vanguard worked out of the jam.
 
With the game in extra innings, Yu made quick work on the mound as after a leadoff single, he retired the next three batters. In the bottom half, with the bases loaded, Yu stepped up to the plate once again and drove a ball to deep right-center, giving him not only the walk-off hit but the winning pitching decision.
 
"That's the luxury of having a two-way guy like Jordan Yu," said Paine on the dramatic finish. "He can swing it, he's really good on the mound. He did a great job of coming in with runners on and getting us out of an inning."
 
The split moves Jessup to 20-18 overall on the season, 11-13 in conference play. With Hope International and Westmont splitting in Santa Barbara, the Warriors remain six games back of Vanguard and Hope in the GSAC standings.
 
With just eight games to go, Jessup hit the road this week for the final road series of the year as they travel to Fullerton for four games at Hope International. The series begins Friday at 11 a.m.
   
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).