COSTA MESA, Calif. – Fans of low-scoring softball were in for a treat on Friday as the Warriors battled Vanguard to two extra-inning contests. With dominant pitching on both ends across the double-dip, Jessup stole the opener before a walk-off single gave Vanguard game two.
Earning the victory in game one was
Katie Blankenheim, as the right-hander produced one of her best collegiate outings. The Warriors looked to Blankenheim to toss all nine innings of the extra inning affair, and she answered the call, allowing just one run on three hits.
The nine innings out of Blankenheim are a new career-high for the fourth year pitcher.
Runs were hard to come by in this one as neither team plated a run in the first seven innings, forcing extras. Jessup took advantage of having a runner in scoring position to start as
Lexi Watson drove in
Olivia Dominguez with a single up the middle. But the needed shutdown inning would not come, as Vanguard scored in the bottom half, forcing an eighth inning.
Neva Adams came up with the big hit this time, driving in
Hannah Dominguez on an RBI single. Vanguard threatened in the bottom half, loading the bases, but Blankenheim closed the door to secure the win.
On to game two, and this time it was
Terra Goetz holding the Lions to a zero on the board. Goetz tossed five shutout frames, surrendering just two base hits during that time. Over her last four outings, Goetz has allowed just one run on five hits, spanning 18 innings in the circle.
Bella MacFarlane got the call to pitch in the relief, holding Vanguard scoreless in the sixth and seventh before advancing to another eighth inning. There would be no go-ahead run for the Warriors, as Vanguard cashed in with a walk-off single in the bottom half to split the day.
The Warriors were held to just one hit in game two, coming via the bat of Adams. Jessup pieced together eight hits in game one, with Maila Iishii being the only player to get multiple base knocks in a Jessup uniform.
Jessup moves to 5-2 within the GSAC after the split.
The Warriors will be in Fullerton tomorrow, taking on the Royals of Hope International University. Jessup squared off with HIU in their first GSAC Tournament game last season, a 4-3 victory for the Warriors.
Saturday's action will begin with an 11 a.m. first pitch.
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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 Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter & Instagram).
