LINCOLN, Calif. – Baseball was back at McBean Park for the first in 2024 as the stands were filled with fans ready to start a new season. With plenty of anticipation built up around Jessup's final NAIA season, some of Jessup's newest Warriors shined brightest in a two-game sweep of Oregon Tech.
Oregon Tech came into the season receiving votes in the preseason poll, but it's the Warriors who start 2-0.
Stealing the show was a man already familiar with McBean Park,
Trey Furrey. Competing in his first games with the Warriors, the former Lincoln Potter had a debut that he will never forget as he went 6-for-9 with three home runs and 10 RBI.
Furrey started his monstrous day in the second inning of game one as he reached for an outside pitch that then carried deep to right, staying fair by a few feet for a grand slam. The third baseman was not done there as they left the yard again in the fourth, this time with a two-run shot. Furrey later added a triple in the sixth as he ended his first game a double shy of the cycle.
"That was a pretty special day from Trey," said head coach
Trevor Paine on Furrey's debut. "He's the type of hitter that is super confident. He has a really good approach at the plate, and he's been swinging it really well since we've been back. One good at-bat always seems to turn into multiple good ones with him, and he was on everything today."
Another newcomer,
Connor Culp, also left the yard as his wall scraper put Jessup ahead 11-6 in the seventh inning.
Jessup went to
Anthony Perez for the start in game one, and the right-hander proceeded to put forth 4.2 innings of work in a no-decision.
Riley Houghtby followed in relief, earning the win after allowing four runs (three earned) over 2.1 innings of relief.
With the game in the top of the ninth inning, Paine was forced to make another move to the bullpen as Oregon Tech loaded the bases with nobody out. Coming in was freshman
Xavier Maldonado, as he struck out two to record the save and slam the door on Jessup's first win of the season.
Nolan Thebiay would get the nod in game two, and he proceeded to log 4.2 innings while striking out five. Being a seven-inning game, Thebiay qualified for his first win at Jessup.
On the work of his pitching staff, Paine noted, "For today being the first time our starters got around the 75-pitch range, I thought they did a good job of eating up innings for us today. We were in both games. They both left with the lead, and that's really all you can ask out of your starters."
OIT struck first on a two-run homer in the first, but back came the Warriors as Culp launched a doubt shot into left field for his second blast of the day. Jessup then tied the game in the second on
Kayde Iranon's first home run of the season. Then it was Furrey's turn again, as he sent a two-run shot over the wall in the third for his third dinger of the day.
Ryan Stone, yet another newcomer, was Paine's choice out of the bullpen in game two, and he answered the call. Stone allowed two runs over 2.1 innings of work but managed to strike out four Owls as he earned the save.
The Warriors and Owls will continue the series on Saturday as another doubleheader is scheduled for 11 a.m. Tickets for the Saturday matinee are on sale
HERE.
***
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).
