LINCOLN, Calif. – A new season of Jessup Baseball is alive and well as the Warriors kicked off the 2022 campaign at McBean Park. Taking on Simpson University, two Warriors making their Jessup debut highlighted the day as the Warriors swept the Red Hawks in Monday's doubleheader.
 
"Honestly, I didn't know what to expect," said head coach Trevor Paine on the day. "I'm still learning a lot about this team. This is our first time seeing outside competition today. First time being in the same dugout, all going in the same direction during a game. It was good."
 
Jessup started the day with a 6-4 victory in the opener of Monday's doubleheader. The Warriors plated a pair in the bottom of the seventh off a double to center from Kevin Gutierrez, sealing the win.
 
Highlighting the opener at the dish was Chico State transfer, Jorge Perez. Perez went just 1-for-4, but his moonshot home run over the storage unit in left field had his team-leading 4-3 in the third.
 
Simpson was led by their leadoff hitter, Logan Gomes, who hit two home runs, including one on the game's first pitch. His second shot led off the third, giving the Red Hawks a 3-2 lead at the time.
 
The winning pitcher of game one was Marlin Brucato, who allowed no runs over two innings of relief work. Shawn Roberts picked up the save after a perfect ninth inning that included two strikeouts.
 
Game two was highlighted by another newcomer, as Dylan Cole went 3-for-4 with four RBI and two runs scored. Cole put the Warriors ahead for good as his two-run blast to centerfield gave the Warriors a 7-5 lead.
 
Cole wrapped up his first two games with the Warriors going a combined 5-for-8 with six RBI.
 
Paine spoke on the debuts of Cole and Perez, adding, "Dylan and Jorge were really good today from their first battle to their last at-bat. They had been really good since we had returned from Christmas break. They looked very comfortable and all their AB's, and scrimmages, and everything."
 
"They were both really, really good. So they're going to be a big part of our lineup this year, and good to see them get off to a good start."
 
The Warriors were aggressive on the basepath all day. Jessup stole four bases in Monday's opener, but they topped themselves in game two, setting a program record by stealing six.
 
Leading 7-5, the Warriors saw insurance runs come in abundance in the sixth thanks to eight walks and three wild pitches, allowing eight runs to cross home plate, setting up a 15-5 victory.
 
Jessup's first big outburst of the game came in the middle innings as they plated three. Cole started the rally with an RBI double in the third. Dustin McElwain then drove him in with an infield single. Nicholas Hadd drove in a run in the fourth off a groundout to short.
 
Chase Marcoe earned the win in game two after just 0.1 innings pitched. He replaced James Courshon, who looked strong in his first two innings of collegiate ball.
 
With two wins under their belt, the Warriors will look to play winning baseball on the road this weekend as they start a four-game series at the University of Antelope Valley. Jessup returns to McBean Park next week as they host Oregon Tech.
   
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).