FULLERTON, Calif. – It was a must-win situation for the Warriors on Saturday, as following two losses on Friday, Jessup came into the day 2.5 games behind Hope International. A loss to start the day clinched a championship for Jessup's opponent, but a win in the finale saved the Warriors from being swept for the first time this season.
Jessup has been no stranger to sweeps in 2024; in fact, they have swept opponents six times. Following the victory in the non-conference finale, the Warriors' record moves to 31-9.
No. 12 HIU improved their GSAC record to 17-3. With a 3.5-game lead over the Warriors, the Royals clinched the GSAC regular season championship and a first-round bye in the conference tournament.
A two-run
Jack Grant double had the Warriors on the board first in Saturday's opener, but the lead was short-lived as HIU piled on six runs across the middle innings to take a 6-2 lead. A two-run single from catcher
James Williams III finally ended the drought, but again, HIU countered with another run in the sixth.
The stage looked to be set for a comeback in the eighth, as Jessup started a rally with a solo home run from
Bryce Petrilla. Back-to-back singles followed, as two were on with one out, bringing Williams to the plate. Williams singled, but on the play,
Connor Culp was thrown out at home. A strikeout to the next batter ended the inning.
Three HIU runs in the last of the eighth made it 10-5, Royals.
One final comeback was mounted in the ninth, starting with Petrilla's two-run single. Jessup then loaded the bases, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate with one out, but a flyout and a strikeout ended the ballgame.
Right-hander
Anthony Perez moves to 5-4 on the season following just 4.1 innings of work. Perez allowed six runs (four earned) on six hits before head coach
Trevor Paine turned to the bullpen.
The non-conference finale started with Jessup behind 3-0, but the deficit was wiped away thanks to runs in three consecutive innings.
Nate Van Patten hit a solo home run in the fourth, and the Warriors would tie the game in the fifth on an RBI double from
Brandon Springer. An RBI triple from Grant added to the scoring in the sixth and was followed by Grant scoring on a passed ball.
Grant added an additional insurance run in the seventh on an RBI groundout, but two outs away from victory, HIU tied things on a two-run shot to force extra innings. Petrilla gave the Warriors the lead in the eighth on a sacrifice fly; Springer later added an insurance run, as this time the Warriors were able to hold on, as they secured an 8-6 win.
Jessup compiled 28 hits across Saturday's two games. Senior
Trey Furrey had six of them as he increased his batting average to an NAIA best .525.
The Warriors will take a break from GSAC baseball on Tuesday as they welcome Simpson to McBean Park for a non-conference doubleheader. Then it's off to Atherton for the finale series of the season, as Jessup will play three with the Oaks, starting on Friday, April 19.
Jessup has already secured a spot in the 2024 GSAC Tournament at OC Great Park in Irvine. Postseason baseball begins on April 29.
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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).
