IRVINE, Calif. – The Warriors returned to a site Wednesday filled with pleasant memories as they hit the field at OC Great Park for a doubleheader with Westcliff. Rallied by some key extra-base hits in game two, Jessup bounced back from a rough ending to game one as they now leave Southern California with another split.
Wednesday's games took place at the softball stadium of OC Great Park. The last time Jessup cleats touched this field was when the Warriors were exiting the complex with a GSAC Championship in hand. Jessup will be looking to make another trip to Irvine next month for the 2023 tournament.
The Warriors, who split yesterday in Encinitas, sit at 20-15 overall. Jessup's 7-6 record within the GSAC puts them in second place.
A pitcher's duel broke out in game one, with
Katie Blankenheim toeing the rubber for the Warriors. Blankenheim started off red-hot, tossing five shutout innings in which she allowed just two hits. But then Westcliff found an answer in the sixth, plating two as Blankenheim's gem sees her walk away with a loss.
Jessup scored first, an RBI single from
Kaylee Winn in the third, but that would be the Warriors' only run of the game.
Needing to respond once again in game two after losing the opener, Jessup saw the bats wake up on Sara Giles' two-run triple in the top of the first. The first-inning rally continued as Giles scored on a
Neva Adams' RBI single, putting Jessup ahead 3-0.
Adams continued her offensive production in the third as she hit a triple of her own, splitting the gap in left-center to drive in a pair. Adams ended the game 2-for-3 with three RBI.
The Warriors went to
Serena Navarrete to start game two, and she responded by allowing one run over two innings.
Terra Goetz then came out of the bullpen to toss four innings in relief. Goetz earns the victory after allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits.
Bella MacFarlane tossed a scoreless seventh inning, earning her second career save.
Jessup now receives some much-needed rest as they will not be on the diamond over Easter weekend. The Warriors are set to return to action on Friday, April 14, when Hope International comes to town. The Royals jumped to No. 24 in the latest NAIA rankings, revealed Wednesday morning.
Following the home date with HIU, Jessup will host Vanguard the next day for Senior Day.
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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).
