LINCOLN, Calif. – The closing stretches of the 2022 season are amongst us, as Jessup took the field Friday looking to keep their name in the GSAC postseason picture. While the ball was jumping off the bat, Jessup hurt themselves defensively as the visiting Vanguard Lions walk away with two wins.
 
Vanguard came into Friday ranked No. 8 in the country and sits second in the GSAC standings.
 
Jessup had the long ball working for them in game one as Kevin Gutierrez, Connor Franco, and Connor Lane all left the yard. Lane's was a highlight moment as he came off the bench and took the first pitch he saw deep to center for a three-run blast.
 
The Warriors added another run in the eighth as Kawaiola Takemura drove in Kayde Iranon on a perfectly executed hit-and-run.
 
What hurt the Warriors was their two-out execution, as Vanguard scored all seven runs in a 7-6 win with two outs. VU started with four two-out runs in the second and then added two more with two out in the third. The deciding runs came on a pair of two-out doubles in the seventh.
 
Danny Chavez started the game for Jessup. He tossed seven innings while allowing seven runs on nine hits with two walks and seven strikeouts.
 
The Warriors turned to Kristian Hernandez for game two, but he did not last long, as he lasted only two innings while allowing seven runs (5 earned) and six hits. Shawn Roberts, Isaiah Rodriguez, Chase Marcoe, and Jason Riviello made relief appearances.
 
Jessup got their lone run in the bottom of the first as Dylan Cole plated Jaisten Cabatbat on an RBI groundout. Cabatbat had reached on a triple.
 
Vanguard would plate nine runs in the ballgame as they took game two 9-1.
 
At 9-17 in the GSAC, the Warriors hold a half-game lead on OUAZ for the final spot in the GSAC Tournament.
 
The Warriors will look to split the series tomorrow as they wrap up their home schedule with two more games against the Lions. Before game one, Jessup will hold their annual Senior Day ceremony.
   
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).