WOODLAND, Calif. – Returning to the field after a two-week absence, Jessup took to the all-turf field at the Woodland Sports Complex, hosting San Diego Christian for a GSAC doubleheader. Runs came in large doses Sunday as the Warriors picked up the two-game sweep.
 
After allowing a first-inning run as the starting pitcher, Seli Aholelei got the Warriors on the board first in the bottom half as she slid headfirst into home on a successful double steal. Jessup plated two more runs in the sixth off a double from Mehana Johns, giving the Warriors a 3-1 advantage.
 
Having a stellar game at the plate in game one was Shay Trent. Trent ripped a double off the wall in left-center in her first at-bat. She would blast a ground-rule double to the same spot in her second appearance to the plate. Neither time were the Warriors able to cash in with a runner in scoring position.
 
Aholelei faced adversity in the sixth, as the Hawks loaded the bases with nobody out. After the runner at third was called out for leaving the base early on a potential sacrifice fly, Aholelei got the third out to avoid any runs coming home and ultimately securing a 3-1 win.
 
The Warriors made quick work in the first inning of game two, as they plated four runs on RBI base hits from Sam Lorge, Natalie Basaldua, and Kayla Altheide. Unfortunately for Jessup, SDCC plated three runs with two out in the second, cutting the lead to just one.
 
Trent helped add some insurance in the second as she singled to lead off the inning, then stole second, and ultimately came in to score on the RBI single from Lorge. Basaldua would plate Lorge two batters later, pushing the lead to 6-3.
 
Jessup would add two more in the third, as Altheide drove in two more after driving a hanging breaking ball into the gap for a double.
 
The game officially broke open in the fourth, as the Warriors sent 15 batters to the plate, scoring ten runs on ten base hits and an error. In the inning Basladua (1), Johns (2), Altheide (2), Trent (1), Aholelei (2), and Hangebrauck (1) all recorded an RBI.
 
The ten-run outburst put Jessup in a position to end the game early, as their double-digit lead qualified for an early finish to the run rule. Basaldua took the ball for her first pitching performance of the season, and after a perfect inning, the Warriors took game two by an 18-3 final.
 
The 15-run victory is the largest margin of victory for Jessup this season, and the largest ever under Head Coach Brie Campbell.
 
Trent finished the day a perfect 5-for-5 at the dish, with a pair of doubles, two runs scored, and an RBI. Altheide contributed a team-high five RBI.
 
Getting the starting nod in the circle both games was Aholelei, and her efforts earned two victories, pushing her record to 3-1. Overall, Aholelei tossed 11 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits and seven strikeouts.
 
The two victories move Jessup to 16-18 overall on the season, 9-8 in the GSAC. Jessup currently trails Hope International by 5.5 games in the GSAC West.
 
Jessup and San Diego Christian will hit the field one more time tomorrow as the Warriors will be playing the final home games of their season. The action has been moved to Wilson Park in Rocklin, and game time is set for noon.
   
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).