IRVINE, Calif. – It's on to the championship round for the GSAC regular-season champions as they dominated their way past the Vanguard Lions on Wednesday. Backed by early run support for a pitcher who was seemingly unhittable, Jessup now has two chances to win one game and clinch a trip to Nationals.
 
All-GSAC pitcher Katie Blankenheim was masterful on Wednesday. Vanguard was held hitless until the bottom of the fourth when a pair of singles put two on. But that would be all the Lions would get, as it was a complete game, two-hit shutout, and win No. 18 for Blankenheim.
 
Head coach Brie Campbell spoke about her pitcher's performance, noting, "We gave Katie the nod again today, and she proved why. Her determination to bare down, allowing just two hits and no runs, says it all. I am so proud of her and her trust in her defense."
 
The Warriors gave Blankenheim run support early on as Maddy Ybarra started the game with a bang, racing to third on a leadoff triple. One batter later, Ybarra was scoring on Hailey Hiett's RBI single to center field.
 
Jessup tacked on their second run of the day on Kaela Hangebrauck's RBI single in the second, plating Ybarra again. Sam Lorge then kept the lineup moving with an RBI single of her own. The RBI single party continued on Natalie Nash's infield hit to the shortstop, scoring Hangebrauck as Nash beat out the throw.
 
"Going into today, a one-two matchup, we knew we had to come out strong and attack early. They did just that," added Campbell. "We left a lot of runners on base yesterday, and today our goal was to execute in key situations, and they did just that. This far in the season, there is no letting up on continuing to learn and grow in the game of softball."
 
Vanguard sent GSAC Freshman of the Year Brianna Williams to the circle, and Jessup ended her day early as the Lions went to the bullpen after just 1.2 innings of work.
 
An insurance off the bat of Hannah Aguilar came in the seventh, as the Warriors finally scored with an extra-base hit, as Aguilar clanked one off the wall in left-center to plate Kaylee Winn.
 
Jessup, now 35-13 overall this season, has yet to lose in the GSAC Tournament and has the luxury of two cracks at winning a championship tomorrow. Should the Warriors lose their first game, a winner-take-all game will immediately follow.
 
The opponent remains to be determined. Currently, OUAZ and Hope International are playing in an elimination contest to decide who advances to tonight's matchup with Vanguard. The winner of this evening's game will advance to the championship round.
 
First pitch on Thursday from OC Great Park in Irvine is scheduled for 1:30 p.m, with a potential second game happening at 4:30 p.m.
 
Campbell concluded by adding, "It's a great day to be a Warrior, and we can't wait to get back on the diamond tomorrow."
   
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).