LINCOLN, Calif. – After two days of rest, the Warriors were back in action at Foskett Regional Park for a Tuesday doubleheader against the Beacons of Bushnell University. Jessup continued its recent hot streak, sweeping the Beacons on the day and improving to 6-0 on the young season.
"Today was a great team effort. It's great for us to be able to put two different lineups out there in a doubleheader and trust they're going to get the job done," said head coach Brie Campbell.
The Warriors wasted no time generating offense in the first game, putting up six runs in the second inning. The scoring opened up with a two-RBI single down the right-field line by Kayla Altheide, scoring Kaylee Winn and Natalie Nash.
The Warriors continued to pile it on with runs batted in from Sam Lorge, Shay Trent, and Kaela Hangebrauck to increase the lead to 6-0.
The Beacons got their lone run of the game in the fourth with a sacrifice fly, but the Warriors responded with three in the bottom frame to increase the lead to 9-1 and end the game after five innings.
Katie Blankenheim earned her third win in as many appearances with another dominant performance in the circle. The sophomore pitched a complete five innings, allowing just four hits and one earned run while retiring three batters on strikes.
Game number two saw a very different lineup for Jessup, with six new players in the batting order. For the second game in a row, the Warriors got an early start offensively, building a 2-0 lead after three innings.
Bushnell took its first lead of the afternoon in the sixth, however, putting up three runs in a two-out rally to take a 3-2 lead.
Jessup once again rallied with heads-up running by Hangebrauck and late-game heroics by Haley Chaboya to put the Warriors back on top 4-3.
The Beacons got the tying run on first in the final inning, but Sam Lorge showed off her arm behind the plate to catch the runner stealing and help preserve the win.
Maikyla Nelson earned the win in the contest, pitching all seven innings and striking out six.
"As we continue to compete, we also learn our job is never done, and we need to learn from each opportunity whether it's in the field or at-bat," said Campbell.
Maddy Ybarra had an impressive afternoon for Jessup, going 2-for-2 with a triple and a stolen base in the second game.
"Maddy continues to be a dominant force for us in the batter's box, and we are blessed to have a lead-off hitter to get things going," Campbell added.
Jessup will have another two days of rest before hosting No. 5 Southern Oregon on Friday, with first pitch scheduled for 2:00 PM. Southern Oregon is the defending NAIA softball national champions.
"We look forward to a couple days of rest before heading back to the diamond for a pair of doubleheaders this weekend," said Campbell. "It's officially softball season, and there's no better place to be than on the dirt with your family."
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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).
