LINCOLN, Calif. - On an overcast Friday afternoon, the Warriors prepared to play for something bigger than softball. Today was Strike Out Cancer Day, where Jessup fans, coaches, and players paid their respects to those who have fought and are currently fighting the courageous battle.
The Warrior faced off against Arizona conference opponents of Arizona Christian University. Jessup split a pair, winning game one in mercy-rule fashion, and lost the second game in extra innings.
Before the game began, Becke Reid, who is currently in the fight today, mother of Jessup senior catcher
Bailey Reid, would throw out the honorary first pitch. Dry eyes turned quickly, and the emotional moment touched everyone as she would represent everyone in the fight today.
Game one would be a short game as it only lasted five innings, and the Warriors won in run-rule formation, 13-5.
Starting pitcher
Katie Blankenheim threw all five innings with four strikeouts, allowing ten hits. Blankenheim is now 8-2 on the season.
The Warriors began the scoring spree early, putting up four runs in the first and continuing that trend for the first three innings. Homerun leader
Sarah Giles intentionally walked in four straight at-bats and scored twice for the Warriors.
Maddy Ybarra and Kaylee Win went 3-for-4, with Winn hitting a three-run bomb to left-center.
Game two was allotted for lost time from game one, as nine innings were played between the Firestorm and the Warriors. ACU got on the board first, scoring two runs in the first inning. The score would tie 3-3 in the third inning and stay that way for the remainder of regulation play.
The international rule would go into effect, and Arizona Christian would score three runs in the top of the ninth inning to win the game, 7-4.
Jessup is looking for two wins tomorrow as they face OUAZ at 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM at Foskett Regional Park.
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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).
