PEORIA, Ariz. – The Warriors entered Saturday with eyes on a series victory, taking on the OUAZ Spirit two more times, this time from Peoria. After a high-scoring win to start the day, Jessup had to ultimately settle for a split as both teams walk away with two wins from the weekend.
Saturday's opener was exactly what you wanted if you enjoy high-scoring baseball, as Jessup took the game 13-12. Jessup's high-scoring attack was aided by a five-run first inning and a seven-run barrage in the seventh.
Kevin Gutierrez started the scoring with a two-run single to right-center. Gutierrez went 4-for-5 in game one with three RBI and three runs scored.
Dustin McElwain extended the early rally with an RBI triple, plating two more.
The seven-run inning for Jessup was pieced together through small ball as none of the scoring plays came via an extra-base hit. The Warriors added runs thanks to three RBI singles, two bases-loaded walks, a hit by pitch, and a sacrifice fly.
OUAZ put up their own big inning, as after the Warriors pulled away to a 13-5 lead, the Spirit came back in the bottom half to put up seven runs of their own.
The Warriors combined to use five pitchers in the opener.
Caleb Markwith picked up the victory while
Marlin Brucato closed the door to earn the save.
Max Moreno got the ball to start the series finale as the Warriors looked for the series victory. Moreno was coming off five no-hit innings a week ago. He gave up four runs (three earned) on five hits over his five innings on the mound.
Jessup scored first to take a 1-0 lead as
Jorge Perez hit his second home run of the year.
OUAZ took the lead in the third as a two-run home run put them ahead for good. The Spirit later added two in the fifth and one in the sixth as they won the finale 5-2.
Jessup moved to 11-6 overall on the season with the split. The Warriors are 2-2 in conference play.
While the GSAC season is just getting started, there is now a break in the conference schedule. To fill the gap, Jessup will take on the University of British Columbia next week in a three-day, four-game series starting Thursday at noon from McBean Park.
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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).
