REDDING, Calif. - Softball is back in action as they began their regular opening season in Redding, California. The Warriors took on reigning champions Southern Oregon University and Eastern Oregon, ranked 24th in the NAIA pre-season coaches' poll.
Due to the cold and rainy Redding weather, a typical double header day would turn into a three-game day. Jessup took two wins against Southern Oregon and lost one to the Mountaineers of Eastern Oregon.
Game one set the tone for the day for Jessup as the bats came to life with five different Warriors playing long ball. Home runs would come from
Maddy Ybarra,
Sam Lorge,
Sarah Giles,
Kaylee Winn, and
Kaitlyn Fanning. Not only were the bats hot for the Warriors, but the speed on the bases proved evident throughout the contest as well. Newcomer
Madisyn Leffle would lead the charge with five stolen bases.
Jessup would win the first game 12-8 over the Raiders.
Game two against Eastern Oregon was a nail-biter up until the top of the 7th inning, where the Mountaineers came to life with a big breakout inning. EOU would come out on top with a 14-5 win.
It was a quick turnaround to game three as the Warriors looked to bounce back from their first loss. That is exactly what they did as they beat SOU again, 9-8.
Serena Navarrete got the start, throwing 5.1 innings before
Terra Goetz came in relief.
The Warriors kept their lead until the sixth inning, scoring six runs and putting them ahead 8-7. That was no problem for the Warriors as
Sarah Giles continued her hot day at the plate with a go-ahead two-run bomb to right field. This was Giles' third home run of the day and would give the Warriors the 9-8 victory.
Head coach
Brie Campbell had some positive feedback about her team's victorious opening day, "Today was a great team start and I can't wait to see us compete at a high level as the season progresses."
Katie Blankenheim started in the first two games with relief help from
Terra Goetz and
Bella MacFarlane.
Terra Goetz received the win in both Southern Oregon contests.
The Warriors will have a quick turnaround as they are scheduled to play tomorrow, February 4th, in Redding at Big League Dreams. Game times are TBA as the weather permits.
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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).
