HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Warriors have punched their ticket to the 2024 NAIA Softball World Series in Columbus, Georgia, for the first time in program history. Marking their thirty-ninth win on the year, they have tied the single-season win record, setting the Warriors at 39-10.
Championship day was set for a matchup with the Crusaders of William Carey in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Before the Thursday afternoon contests, the Warriors were 2-0 in the tournament.
Unfortunately, game one favored the Crusaders, as they defeated Jessup 3-2. William Carey blanked the Warriors for the first five innings before Jessup could score a run.
Sarah Giles would start the scoring for Jessup at the bottom of the sixth inning with a lead-off solo home run. This home run ties her for the national lead in home runs (18) while also leading in batting average (.565), and RBIs (69).
Jessup took it to the very end and would score another run in the bottom of the seventh but could not fully capitalize, resulting in their first loss in the tournament.
In game two, Jessup found themselves in a win-or-go-home situation, the same situation they sat in 2022. The Warriors jumped ahead early, scoring four runs in the first two innings. Kaylee Winn, Madisyn Leffle, and Maddy Ybarra outsmarted the Crusader defense with smart base running to score the first two runs.
A gapper double from Olivia Dominguez and base hit shot from Lexi Watson in the second inning would lengthen the lead for Jessup, putting them ahead 4-1.
William Carey would pressure the Warrior defense, but solid pitching from seniors Katie Blankenheim and Terra Goetz would blank the Crusader for the remainder of the game.
Jessup would reign victorious in a final score of 4-3 to punch their ticket to the 2024 Softball World Series in Columbus Georgia.
Head coach Brie Campbell added, "These ladies worked hard through adversity and a long road back to earn the title and trip to Georgia."
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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).
