LINCOLN, Calif. – Jessup softball entered Tuesday on a hot streak and tied for first in the GSAC, taking three of its first four in conference play. Stormy skies and a location change were not enough to stop Jessup, as the Warriors swept the Oaks of Menlo College for their fourth and fifth straight victories.
 
"It took a lot of work to get the fields ready to play today, and I couldn't be more grateful to our staff in Ryan Stevens and Jake Thompson who put in the work to let the girls play," said head coach Brie Campbell.
 
After surrendering a run in the top of the first, Jessup came to the plate loud as Maddy Ybarra led the game off with an inside-the-park home run to even the game at 1-1. Just a few plays later, Hailey Hiett gave Jessup the lead when she scored on a throwing error after stealing third.
 
The Warriors remained in front for the entire game, adding four more runs in the second inning to build a commanding 6-1 lead. Menlo got one back late, but a double to center field by Haley Chaboya brought the lead back to five and secured a 7-2 victory.
 
Aaliyah Pineda had a strong day in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 in the first game to give her hits in four of her last five games. Sam Loge led the Warriors with two RBI, both coming from a two-RBI single in the second inning.
 
Katie Blankenheim earned her seventh win of the season, striking out four batters and surrendering just two runs on eight hits. Blankenheim was in control, not giving up any walks in the game.
 
The Warrior offense was cold to start game two, as Jessup trailed 2-0 after three innings of play.
 
Jessup got on the board in the fourth, as Natalie Nash and Auzzie Najar-Meza both scored on wild pitches to tie things up 2-2. Pitching errors by Menlo gave Jessup the lead in the fight, as Lorge scored on a passed ball to give Jessup the lead.
 
The Warriors did their damage with two outs in the sixth, as Jessup rallied to score five runs and jump out to a commanding 8-2 lead. Menlo got one back in the third, but the Warriors held on for an 8-3 win.
 
The heart of the order did the damage, as Hailey Hiett, Sam Lorge, Kaela Hangebrauck, Natalie Nash, and Haley Chaboya each brought runs home in the sixth.
 
Maikyla Nelson earned the win in relief, going four innings and allowing just one run on three hits.
 
"GSAC play is here, and our team is ready to take on the great competition in front of them, and today, every single girl on the lineup contributed," said Campbell. "They won as one, and that's what it's all about."
 
Jessup will hit the road this weekend for the first time this season, as the first place Warriors will face San Diego Christian on Saturday for a GSAC doubleheader. 
 
"We head on our first road trip of the season after 24 games, and we're ready," Campbell added. "These wins are great momentum moving forward, but we still have some work to do to get better and compete at our best."
 
First pitch against San Diego Christian will take place at noon.