LINCOLN, Calif. - After 13 days off, (RV) Jessup softball opened up GSAC play on Friday with a doubleheader against No. 22 Vanguard. The Warrior defense had a strong afternoon, flashing the leather several times and showing off the arms in the outfield as the two teams split the day.
 
"One of the toughest times of the year is coming off of spring break and the lull of non-conference to conference matchups," said head coach Brie Campbell. "We came up a little too late in game one, but brought that energy to game two and took care of business."
 
Vanguard did its damage early in the first game, scoring twice in the first two innings to jump out to an early 2-0 lead. The Lions added one more in the fourth inning to bring the lead up to three.
 
Sam Lorge scored the only run of the first game for the Warriors, sending a towering solo shot over the left field fence to cut into the deficit. Unfortunately for Jessup, the bats struggled and six runners left on base was the makeup for a 3-1 loss.
 
Kayla Altheide and Maddy Ybarra each showed off defnesively, making several key plays that helped keep the Lions off the board. On the offensive side, Aaliyah Pineda led the Warriors with two hits and added a stolen base and walk to her total as well.
 
Once again this season, Jessup showed resilience with another comeback victory in game number two. Vanguard struck first in the top of the second, but Lorge evened things up with her second RBI of the day, this time from a sacrifice fly in the third.
 
Vanguard responded with a three-run fourth inning, but Jessup matched it with three of their own in the bottom frame. Lorge added her third RBI of the day with a fielder's choice, while Hailey Hiett and Kaela Hangebrauck each brought a run home with a single and double respectively. Natalie Nash brought the winning run home with a fielder's choice that walked it off and gave Jessup a 5-4 victory.
 
Terra Goetz shut things down in the circle for Jessup in the final two innings, allowing just one hit and earning her first win of the season.
 
"Terra Goetz came in and shut it down in game two, loved the energy the team brought to get the last chance job done," added Campbell.
 
Jessup will be back in action tomorrow for another GSAC doubleheader, this time hosting (RV) Hope International. The Royals enter tomorrow's games having swept Menlo on Friday for a 2-0 record in conference play.
 
"Every game counts, and even more now that we have started conference play. Credit to Vanguard coming in strong, it's always a good game with the Lions and of course a ranked opponent. This is what we work for, we're looking forward to taking on another ranked team tomorrow in Hope," said Campbell.
 
First pitch tomorrow will be at noon at Wilson Park in Lincoln.  
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).