FULLERTON, Calif. – Returning to the diamond after a two-week hiatus, Jessup was on the road Monday for a pivotal GSAC doubleheader against (12) Hope International. Facing off against two tough pitchers, the Warriors were unable to string together runs as they dropped both games.
 
After the games, Head Coach Trevor Paine stated, "We ran into two good arms and just weren't able to get the big hit. We did a relatively good job of getting guys on and putting their pitchers in the stretch, but we were just waiting for the big swing, and it never came."
 
Hope International struck first as a throwing error allowed a run to score in the first. Two innings later, pinch-runner Mason Sherrill stole third and then came into score on the RBI single from Kevin Jordan Jr., tying the game at one.
 
Again, the Royals struck thanks to back-to-back home runs, putting them ahead 4-1 through three. In the fifth, Jordan Yu came up with a big hit, driving in a pair to cut the lead to just one.
 
The Royals would then plate 12 consecutive runs, pushing ahead to a 16-3 advantage. The big blow came off a grand slam in the eighth. Jessup plated a run in the ninth as Conner Franco walked, driving in Mike Shoenberger, but that would be all as HIU took the opener 16-4.
 
Brad Jones got the starting nod in game one, and he allowed six runs over six innings of work. The loss moves his record to 3-2 this season.
 
Game two got off to a slow start before the Royals finally struck on a solo home run in the third. They would add another run in the inning to go ahead 2-0.
 
In the fifth, Franco recorded his second double of the day as he singled into left field, plating Max Modeste. With two runners on, the Warriors were unable to piece together a rally, ultimately leading to HIU scoring two more in the fifth and sixth to take the game 4-1.
 
Ricardo Torres Jr. started game two on the mound for Jessup. Torres lasted 5.2 innings, allowing all four runs on seven hits.
 
Paine added that "Jones and Torres gave us a chance and kept us in the games on a good day to hit. If we good two good starts tomorrow and take advantage of some opportunities on offense, we can find a way to salvage the series."
 
The series wraps up tomorrow as the Warriors and Royals will play another doubleheader, with the first pitch scheduled for 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).