GLENDALE, Ariz. – Jessup Softball did not disappoint in the first ranked games in program history. The newly No. 23 ranked Warriors traveled down to the Grand Canyon State for a Friday GSAC doubleheader against Arizona Christian University for a battle of the two top teams in the conference entering the day.
It was all Jessup, as the Warriors never trailed Friday en route to a two-game sweep of the Firestorm.
"When we come out playing aggressive on both sides of the field we are at our best, and today we did well attacking early," said head coach
Brie Campbell.
Jessup wasted no time getting the offense started in game one, as a three-run homer off the bat of
Kaylee Winn helped the Warriors jump out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Winn's homer would have been a grand slam had it not been for a two-RBI single by
Natalie Nash in the previous at-bat.
Hailey Hiett,
Kayla Altheide, and
Kaela Hangebrauck each brought runs home in the later innings, as the Warriors cruised to a 9-0 victory after five innings of play.
Katie Blankenheim continued her dominance on the mound, going all five innings while surrendering just two hits. Blankenheim earned her fifth winning decision in her last six starts with her first shutout of the season.
The Warriors struck first again in game two with a sacrifice fly in the top of the second inning by
Aaliyah Pineda.
Maddy Ybarra stretched the lead to 3-0 with a two-run homer in the third.
Maikyla Nelson and
Emma McConville each drove runs home as well.
"Offensively we attacked early and had major outings from Altheide going 5-for-6 with three doubles and home runs for Winn and Ybarra," added Campbell.
Nelson had a strong outing in the circle as well, earning the win in six innings of work. She sat four batters down on strikes and allowed just two runs on six hits.
Terra Goetz took over in the seventh, making quick work of the Firestorm and earning her first save of the season.
Campbell offered high praise for her pitching staff, adding, "I can't say enough about our pitchers holding down the circle today. Katie pitched a great shutout only allowing two hits and (Maikyla) did well in clogged situations on the bases working hard to get outs where needed and putting the ball in play for defense. Terra, again, shut it down for us to secure the win."
Jessup will be back in action on the road tomorrow, as it is scheduled to play OUAZ in another doubleheader. First pitch against the Spirit is scheduled for 10 a.m.
Campbell offered her thoughts on tomorrow's games, adding, "We're closing out our first round of GSAC play tomorrow and our hope is to continue to play our aggressive, gritty softball to give ourselves the best opportunity to play as long as we can into the postseason."
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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).
