LINCOLN, Calif. – The Sun was shining down at Foskett Regional Park as the Jessup Warriors Softball team took the field to open up the 2022 season. The Warriors opened things up with two games in Friday's round robin against No. 1 Oregon Tech and UAV.

For the third straight season, Jessup defeated the top ranked team in the nation in non-conference play, as the Warriors defeated No. 1 Oregon Tech 4-2 in the first game of the day.

"Today was a great start to the season. Our girls were eager to get rolling and their aggressive approach at the plate and on defense proved to be the difference," said head coach Brie Campbell.

The Owls got off to a hot start offensively, loading the bases just one out in the first. Strong pitching by Katie Blankenheim held the Owls to just one run, which scored on a throwing error. 

Jessup responded well in the bottom frame, leading off with a triple by Maddy Ybarra. Ybarra tied things up after scoring on a passed ball.

Things were even for the next inning until Ybarra led off the third with her second extra base hit of the contest, this time a double. Two batters later, Sam Lorge gave Jessup its first lead of the season with an RBI single. The Owls knotted things up in the top of the fourth with a single off the bat of Zoe Allen.

The Warrior offense came alive in the sixth with the help of two solo shots from Sam Lorge and Kaela Hangebrauck. Blankenheim took the circle in the seventh and made quick work of the Owls, needing four batters to retire the side and preserve the win.

Blankenheim allowed two runs, one earned on eight hits in a complete seven innings of work. She struck out four while walking just one. Kayla Altheide made the defensive play of the game for Jessup, flashing the leather and diving back to first base to get the force out.

Game number two saw the Warriors put runs across the plate in the first inning once again, as Jessup rolled to an 8-0 victory over UAV in six innings.

The Warriors displayed heads up baserunning, taking advantage of two UAV errors to pull ahead 2-0 in the top frame.

Jessup added two more in the third, when Hailey Hiett scored off of an error and Sam Lorge scored thanks to an RBI double by Hangebrauck.

Jessup added two more in the fourth to extend the lead to 6-0 before a two-RBI double by Haley Chaboya enforced the run rule in the sixth.

Maikyla Nelson had an impressive performance in the circle for her Jessup debut. The sophomore threw five shutout innings and allowed just two hits and one walk. Terra Goetz took over in the sixth inning and preserved the shutout for the Warriors.

"Our pitchers threw 13 phenomenal innings and gave up only one earned run," said Cambell. "Katie, Maikyla, and Terra are working hard to put the ball in play and let the defense do their job."

Jessup will be back in action tomorrow against No. 1 Oregon Tech and UAV once again, with the first game against the top ranked Owls coming at 12 PM. First pitch against UAV is scheduled for 4 PM.

"This team is special and we're excited to get out here tomorrow and do it all again!" said Cambell. 
   
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).