LINCOLN, Calif. – The Jessup softball team was back in action Friday after nearly a week off as the Warriors hosted the top two teams in the nation in No. 1 Oregon Tech and No. 2 College of Idaho. It was a day to forget at the ballpark, as the Warriors dropped both games on the day.
"Today was a tough go," said head coach
Brie Campbell. "The great thing about softball, though, is that there is always tomorrow."
The day started with the No. 1 Oregon Tech Owls, who Jessup swept two weekends ago in Lincoln. Just like both of those games, Oregon Tech got on the board first, this time with an RBI single up the middle in the first inning.
Jessup drew even in the third, however, thanks to a sacrifice fly off the bat of
Kaela Hangebrauck that scored
Maddy Ybarra.
Oregon Tech did its damage in the second half of the game, putting up two runs in three straight innings to take control of the contest. Jessup got one back in the fifth with another RBI from Hangebrauck, this time scoring
Hailey Hiett. The damage was done, however, and the Owls hung on for a 7-2 victory.
Makaila Nelson pitched a complete game for Jessup but ultimately was given the loss in the contest and fell to 4-2 on the season. Of the seven runs she surrendered, only four were earned.
Sam Lorge had a strong game offensively, going 2 for 3 in the game.
The Warriors surrendered runs early in the second game of the day as well, as the second-ranked College of Idaho put up five runs in the first two innings to jump out to a 5-0 lead early on.
The Yotes didn't let up, scoring three more in the third inning to bring the score to 8-0 and held on for a victory after five innings.
Katie Blankenheim and
Terra Goetz split the pitching duties in the game. Goetz took over in the fourth inning and silenced the College of Idaho bats, not allowing any hits or runs in her two innings in the circle.
Jessup struggled offensively, recording just two hits in the contest.
"This team is very talented and has had success early on, but when you have that success, teams are hungry to derail that," said Campbell. "We have to continue to compete and prove that we deserve to be amongst the best in the country."
The Warriors have a chance to prove that again tomorrow, as they are scheduled to host the top two teams once again tomorrow at Wilson Park in Lincoln.
"We will look to bring the energy back and look to compete in both contests against great opponents," said Campbell.
First pitch against No. 2 College of Idaho is scheduled for 10 AM, while the game against No. 1 Oregon Tech is scheduled for 4 PM.
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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 & Instagram).
