SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Warriors returned to the field Saturday, set to take on No. 12 Westmont two more times after being swept on Friday. With Westmont poised to break their own record, the Warriors produced a great day of baseball as it was Jessup this time who walked away with a daily sweep.
Westmont came into Saturday winners of 17 straight, tying the performance of their 2022 team with the longest win streak in program history. On the opposite end, Jessup entered Saturday on a six-game skid, looking to bring to an end two streaks.
Backed by an excellent performance on the mound, Jessup did just that, as the Warriors of Jessup denied the Warriors of Westmont a chance at history with a 5-4 victory.
Trevor Arnston made the start for Jessup, allowing just three hits across six innings on the hill. Arnstron surrendered three runs (two earned), striking out three while walking one. The victory went to
Preston Brook after a hitless inning in relief.
Charlie Perkins bounced back from a tough outing on Saturday to earn a six-out save.
Trailing 3-2 entering the eighth, Jessup loaded the bases with two away, bringing up the top of the order and Brennan Rozell. The shortstop answered the call, singling to plate a pair, giving his side the lead. The next batter, Chris Lopez, sent Rozell home with an RBI double.
Westmont threatened in the ninth, scoring a run to draw within one while putting the tying run in scoring position. With two away, a ball hit into left field sent the tying run racing around third, but a phenomenal throw from
Nate Van Patten beat the runner, ending the game with a putout at home plate.
With momentum on their side, it was on to the series finale, a seven-inning non-conference game.
Westmont scored first, plating a first-inning run on a sacrifice fly, but then came the bats of Jessup. For the second day in a row, Jessup scored thanks to a Westmont balk. The go-ahead run then crossed home on a passed ball.
Finally, after two runs without the ball entering fair territory, the Warriors got the big hit as
Dustin McElwain cleared the bases on a three-run double down the line in left. The big hit put the Warriors ahead 5-1, their largest lead of the weekend.
Westmont tried to fight back, drawing within two on a two-run home run in the last of the second. Another run would score later in the inning, but that was it, as five innings of zeroes brought the ballgame to a close.
The win goes to
Richard Vidal, his first, after 1.1 shutout innings in relief. The Warriors also got shutout relief work out of
Kevin Gutierrez (2.1 IP),
Jason Riviello (1.1 IP), and
Caleb Markwith (0.2 IP). For Markwith, he earns his first career save.
Jessup's two victories improve them to 14-17-1 overall. At 7-10-1, the Warriors sit in sixth place in the conference standings.
Next up is a meeting with Hope International back home at McBean Park. This is a rescheduled series after the Royals' initial trip to Lincoln was canceled due to rain. The series begins on April 7 with a noon 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).
