COLUMBUS, Ga. – Day three of the 2024 NAIA World Series got underway on Saturday, but before the Warriors could take the field, rain hit western Georgia. When the game finally began, 90 minutes late, Jessup saw themselves locked in a battle with No. 6 Science and Arts that ultimately ended with Jessup losing 5-4.
Now, with a loss under their belt, the 41-11 Warriors move to the loser's bracket.
Head coach
Brie Campbell said after the game that her team is up for the challenge ahead of them. "I think that this team has the heart, the grind to overcome anything…(Science and Arts) is a great team, but I think we beat ourselves in that game."
Campbell added, "It's exciting that we still have another game, and it's exciting that we still have an opportunity to continue to play and fight to get back to the championship game."
A four-run fifth inning for USAO was the difference in the game, as the Drovers tacked on five hits and were aided by two Jessup errors. Starting pitcher
Serena Navarrete was pulled in the inning, as Campbell went back to
Terra Goetz, who had shined in her start the previous day.
Katie Blankenheim also pitched in relief, as she logged a scoreless sixth inning.
The Warriors got off to a fast start under the lights of the South Commons Softball Complex, as first baseman
Sarah Giles blasted her 20th home run of the season in the top of the first. Giles leads the NAIA in average and home runs, and sits one RBI shy of the national lead.
Jessup tacked on to the lead in the third, starting with a wild pitch that allowed the speedy
Madisyn Leffle to core.
Kaylee Winn then added her biggest hit of the World Series with her two-run double to left-center.
Trailing 5-4 entering the seventh inning, the Jessup offense stepped up with two outs as a Giles walk was followed by a
Sam Lorge single.
Kaylee Winn then walked to load the bases, bringing up
Emma Gaytan. Gaytan would strike out looking to end the game, as the tying run was left standing on third.
Science and Arts advances to take on No. 1 Our Lady of the Lake Monday night, while the Warriors will play for their season on Monday at 4 p.m. (EST).
Campbell was asked if the mindset of the team changes now that they are in the loser's bracket. She noted, "We weren't supposed to be where we are right now. So we are just going to continue to fight and get back to that last game of the season."
Jessup will take on No. 11 Madonna, who beat Southern Oregon on Saturday to end the Raiders season. The winner will advance to take on the winner of the Oregon Tech-Cumberlands matchup.
To win the World Series, Jessup will need to win five straight games.
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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).
