COLUMBUS, Ga. – History was made on Thursday as Jessup competed in the NAIA Softball World Series for the first time in program history. Opening against the defending national champions of Southern Oregon, some early offense paved the way for a 5-4 Jessup victory.
Head coach
Brie Campbell spoke about her team stepping up at a big time. "Today was a big stage and I was proud of the ladies coming out strong offensively to support the circle. Getting on the board early is good, but we learned we also need to continue to have the same approach throughout the game and not take our foot off the gas. No lead is safe this late in the ballgame."
The gas pedal was slammed to the floor in the bottom of the first inning when
Sam Lorge sent a 3-2 pitch over the wall in left field for a three-run home run. On top of the blast being the first for Jessup in the World Series, it also is a milestone for Lorge as it ties her with Brittney Lamar for the most in program history.
Lorge has 30 long balls in her career and seven on the season.
Jessup kept the offense going in the last of the second as
Maddy Ybarra narrowly missed a home run of her own. Instead, she settled for a two-run double off the wall.
Campbell went to her ace in the opener,
Katie Blankenheim, and in typical fashion, the senior responded with her 14th complete game of the season. Blankenheim allowed two earned runs on eight hits with no walks as she improved to 16-5 on the year.
Southern Oregon made things interesting late in Thursday's contest, as two runs in the fifth made it 5-3. Then, with nobody out in the seventh, SOU loaded the bases. Jessup did not panic, as instead, they turned a 5-2-3 double play to draw within one out of victory. A run did score on the play, but the next batter grounded out to short to end the game.
The win, Jessup's 40th of the season, establishes a new program record for the most wins in a year.
Jessup is now in the winner's bracket, as they will take on No. 2 Oklahoma City tomorrow at 4 p.m. (EST). Oklahoma City did not play on Thursday, as they are one of two teams who earned a first-round bye.
On tomorrow's action, Campbell added, "Now that the nerves have gotten out, I trust we will continue to have the same approach as we take on any opponent we face moving forward. We're here to have fun and compete to the best of our ability one more time in the NAIA."
Action from Columbus can be streamed for a fee
HERE.
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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).
