LINCOLN, Calif. – After a day to forget on the diamond yesterday, the Jessup softball team bounced back with a sweep of the day against Eastern Oregon and (RV) Simpson. The Warriors were impressive on both sides of the ball, allowing just two runs all day and winning both games 6-1 and 9-1, respectively.
"Today we found ourselves again and we played as one. I'm very excited to keep the momentum going," said head coach
Brie Campbell about the Warriors snapping a six-game losing skid.
Jessup struck first in game one against Eastern Oregon when
Maddy Ybarra launched a solo shot to put the team up 1-0. The Warriors came alive in the sixth inning, putting up five runs with the help of three homers.
Shay Trent and
Maddy Ybarra's second both cleared the fence while
Maikyla Nelson showed off her speed with an inside-the-park homer down the left-field line.
Katie Blankenheim took a no-hitter into the final inning but ultimately gave up two hits and one unearned run to preserve the 6-1 victory. She picked up her fifth win of the season with the help of four strikeouts and just one walk.
Jessup's bats picked up in game two right where they left off the first game, as the Warriors plated five runs in the first inning to jump out to a 5-1 lead.
Kaela Hangebrauck brought the first run home with an RBI single that scored Ybarra and kept the bases loaded.
Kaylee Winn cleared the bases two batters later with a three-RBI double.
Haley Chaboya added one with an RBI sacrifice fly.
Natalie Nash brought two runs home for the Warriors, including the decisive run to give Jessup a 9-1 win after six innings.
In the circle, Makaila Nelson pitched all six innings and gave up just one run on three hits while retiring three batters on strikes. Nelson earned her fifth win of the season as well in the outing.
"We had contributions from batters 1-9 and big hits off the bench from Chaboya,
Maddy Melo, and
Emma McConville," added Campbell. "Katie and Kai were lights out in the circle, hitting spots and letting the defense work, and in Katie's case, having a handful of putouts herself. When we can all come together collectively, we win as one."
Jessup (10-8) will prepare for its first road test of the season, as it will travel to Compton on Friday for a doubleheader against Marymount California University.
"We're ready to hit the road after starting the first 18 at home and bond even more in this opportunity to finish non-conference against Marymount before facing big competition the following week against Vanguard to open GSAC play," said Campbell.
First pitch on Friday is scheduled for noon.
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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).
