ATHERTON, Calif. – The final weekend of the regular season has begun, as the Warriors are in Atherton for a three-game series with Menlo. Taking on an Oaks squad that needed to sweep to have any chance at making the postseason, a ninth-inning rally allowed Jessup to play spoiler, as the Warriors won 11-7.
Friday's victory extends Jessup's win streak to four as they improve to 15-7 in GSAC play. The Oaks fall to 6-15, as the final spot in the conference tournament will go to either Vanguard (9-14) or The Master's (8-14).
The winning moments came in the top of the ninth, as Jessup entered their final three outs trailing by a run.
Drew Andrews led the inning off with a single, and after
Jack Grant moved him to second with a sacrifice bunt,
Trey Furrey came up big with an RBI double.
One batter later, it was
Bryce Petrilla who won the game with his two-run single, plating
Cody Antone and Furrey. Two more runs would come home in the inning thanks to
Chris Lopez and
Michael Doerr.
Friday's win is the second time this week that the Warriors needed to mount a late comeback. Jessup entered the eighth inning on Tuesday trailing Simpson 8-4, but they ended up walking off in the ninth thanks to five unanswered in that one as well.
Jessup hit two home runs on Friday, the first coming from Andrews, who hit a two-run shot in the third. The second came from
Brandon Springer, as he has now homered in back-to-back games.
Right-hander
Haliama Swartman got the start on Friday, and he lasted five innings before head coach
Trevor Paine went to the bullpen. Swartman allowed six runs (all earned) on nine hits, pairing that with five strikeouts.
Jason Riviello then tossed a scoreless sixth inning, but it was
Evan Williams (4-1) who earned the victory after two innings in relief.
Nolan Thebiay locked down the win in a scoreless ninth.
The Warriors, who knew coming into Friday that they would see Arizona Christian in the first round of the GSAC Championship, now know the dugout they will be in as Friday's outcome secures the No. 2 seed. Jessup will be the home team in their first contest, which the official game time has not been announced.
But first, the Warriors have to finish the regular season, as tomorrow, they will play two more with the Oaks. It will be a final chance for the coaching staff to determine their postseason roster, as all teams must trim the roster to 26 players for the GSAC Tournament.
Saturday's doubleheader is scheduled for 11 a.m.
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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).
