LINCOLN, Calif. – It was Senior Day at McBean Park, as the Warriors honored ten players before taking the Vanguard Lions two times. Jessup gave their seniors the sendoff they deserved as they swept the day, equaling a program record in the progress.
The No. 7 ranked Warriors improved to 30-6 on the season, while their record at McBean Park jumps to 26-2. That matches the program record for most home wins in a season, matching the 26 set by the Warriors in 2019. Jessup will get two more chances to break the record when they host Simpson on April 16.
Saturday began with the annual Senior Day ceremony, as ten Warriors were honored on the field. Those seniors were
Kevin Gutierrez,
Trey Furrey,
Connor Culp,
Mason Azevedo,
Max Moreno,
Chris Lopez,
Nate Van Patten,
James Williams III,
Anthony Perez, and
Trevor Arnston.
Perez got the start in his senior outing, and the right-hander was on point. Improving to 5-3 on the year, Perez logged five innings in which he allowed two runs on five hits with seven punchouts.
The Warriors got on the board in the fourth as
Kayde Iranon launched his third home run of the series to give Jessup a 1-0 lead. Later in the inning, centerfielder
Quinton Hall hit a three-run shot, making it a 4-0 game.
Vanguard tacked on three runs in the middle innings, but insurance runs off the bats of Furrey, Culp, and Williams powered the Warriors to an 8-3 victory.
The game one victory secured a sweep of the GSAC series, as the fourth game of the weekend was a non-conference contest. The Warriors are now 14-4 in GSAC action.
Vanguard struck first in the finale, plating two in the first, but Jessup countered with two of their own in the bottom half thanks to singles from Culp and
Bryce Petrilla. Iranon then continued his hot streak in the fourth with an RBI double, which at the time set the score at 3-3.
Jessup gained the lead on a
Jack Grant sac fly, followed by Williams, Culp, and Iranon bringing in insurance runs. Grant added a second sac fly in the fifth as Jessup won again by the final of 8-3.
Earning the win in relief was senior
Mason Azevedo, as he logged three shutout innings in which he allowed just one hit.
The Warriors will now hit the road for Southern California, as next week brings a battle for first place. Jessup will see Hope International four times, with three counting towards GSAC records. HIU currently leads Jessup by half a game for first.
The series begins on Friday, April 12, at 11 a.m. from Fullerton.
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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).
