KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Playing for their season, the Jessup bats came to life Tuesday afternoon in a 12-1 route of Rio Grande (OH.). The Warriors tacked on run-after-run in the middle innings to send them to the championship round of the NAIA Opening Round tomorrow.
Awaiting the Warriors is the top seed in the Klamath Falls bracket, Oregon Tech. The Owls topped Jessup 2-0 in the first contest of the day Tuesday.
Sparking the offensive onslaught was a 3-for-3 day by center fielder
Shay Trent. Trent drove in three runs in the win, two coming on a double in the top of the fifth.
The Warriors also saw a three-RBI day from their freshman catcher,
Aaliyah Pineda, who went 2-for-3 at the dish.
Kaela Hangebrauck went 3-for-4 from the three hole in the batting order, scoring two runs in the win.
Rio Grande started the scoring for the second consecutive day, tagging pitcher
Katie Blankenheim in the third on an RBI double to left-center.
Needing to come back to avoid elimination, Jessup tied the game in the fourth on a bunt by
Sam Lorge. Jessup then proceeded to score five runs on four hits in the inning.
Another big inning ensued in the fifth as the Warriors sent 11 batters to the plate. Jessup recorded eight hits in the inning, scoring seven runs in the process to take a 12-1 lead.
Jessup needed just three outs in the bottom of the fifth to end the game early. The RedStorm managed to get two runners on but could not mount a comeback to keep the game alive as the loss ends their season.
Blankenheim picks up win number 21 on the season, needing just five innings to do so.
The Warriors, now 38-14 on the year, will need to beat Oregon Tech twice tomorrow to advance to the NAIA Softball World Series in Columbus, GA. First pitch tomorrow is slated for 1 p.m. from Stilwell Stadium.
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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).
