IRVINE, Calif. – The Warriors are bound for the championship round, as tomorrow they will look for a perfect ending to ten years in the GSAC. Taking on the No. 8 ranked Royals of Hope International, Monday's hot offense carried into Tuesday as an 11-8 win sends the Warriors off to Wednesday.
Tomorrow will be the fourth appearance by Jessup Baseball in the championship round. Jessup took home the tournament title in 2018 and came out on the losing end in 2019 and 2022.
Head coach
Trevor Paine, who has been on the staff for all four appearances, was proud of his team and their efforts on Tuesday. "I'm proud of the way we competed more than anything. Obviously, being 2-0 headed into the championship sets you up pretty nicely."
The Warriors found themselves down 2-0 through three innings, but there was no quit, as the bats came to life with a five-run fourth inning.
Quinton Hall started the scoring with an RBI double, and after a
Kayde Iranon RBI single, Jessup took the lead on
Drew Andrews' sac fly.
Jessup added to the lead with the first of many big hits from
James Williams III, as his two-run double made it 5-3.
Williams had a day to remember, as he went 3-for-6 with a pair of doubles and four RBI. Williams, an All-GSAC catcher, improved his batting average to .407 on the year.
Jessup tacked on three more runs in the fifth, starting with back-to-back RBI doubles from Andrews and Hazel. Williams added an RBI to end the inning and then another in the seventh. GSAC Player of the Year
Trey Furrey tacked on an RBI in the seventh, and then
Jack Grant's second home run of the postseason capped off Jessup's scoring in the ninth.
The winning pitcher on Tuesday was freshman
Evan Williams. After starter
Anthony Perez's day ended through three innings, Williams then came in to throw four innings in which he allowed two runs on six hits.
"We knew going into the game today that he would be appearing at some point," said Paine on Williams' outing. "We just didn't know when. Your only concern for a freshman is that the lights will be a little too bright in that spot, and they weren't for him.
Williams is now 5-1.
Ryan Stone picked up his third save as he came in for the final out of the day.
Jessup does not know who they will play tomorrow, as their opponent will be decided in the first game of the day at 10 a.m. The Warriors will hit the field in the championship at 2 p.m. A loss tomorrow will force an if-necessary game on Thursday.
Tomorrow's action will be streamed live on the GSAC Sports Network.
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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).
