COLUMBUS, Ga. — The Warriors made it as far as any team can dream, as a hard-fought week in Columbus led to an appearance in the national championship round. Squaring off with the nation's top-ranked team, the Warriors battled to the end but will settle for a runner-up finish.
Jessup's final season in the NAIA ends with a record 44 victories, the last being a 3-2 dogfight with the Drovers of Science and Arts.
USAO was the only team to beat Jessup in the World Series leading into Wednesday. A 5-4 loss on Saturday put the Warriors in the loser's bracket, and following two wins in elimination contests, and a USAO loss on Tuesday afternoon, the highly anticipated rematch was set up.
Sarah Giles started the scoring in the third an RBI single that matched the NAIA RBI lead. Two innings later, Giles surpassed that mark with her third home run of the World Series, securing her the NAIA Triple Crown as the nation's leader in average, home runs, and RBI.
Senior
Katie Blankenheim was superb in what proved to be the final start of her career. Blankenheim surrendered two runs (one earned) in her third complete game of the World Series, ending her senior season with a record of 18-5.
The 3-2 victory sent the Warriors into the championship round, where they would need to win two against the top-ranked Saints of Our Lady of the Lake.
Senior
Terra Goetz earned the start, and just like Blankenheim, she put together an incredible final outing. Goetz held the Saints to two runs across six innings of work. She struck out five and allowed six base hits.
OLLU scored their first run in the bottom of the third, and the 1-0 lead held until the bottom of the sixth when a solo home run gave the Saints a key insurance run. Jessup had their chances to score, as well, the closest being on a
Neva Adams infield single that sent
Sam Lorge racing around third. Lorge was tagged out at the plate, and the call was upheld after Jessup challenged claiming interferene by the catcher.
Jessup totaled four hits off OLLU's Cassandra Valdez, who was honored as the World Series MVP. Jessup's Giles, Lorge, and
Maddy Ybarra were named to the All-Tournament Team.
Wednesday officially brings to an end seven days of softball in the Peach State. It also sets up a return home for Jessup, as the Warriors have been on the road for over 20 days, dating back to their travel to Harrisburg for the NAIA Opening Round.
Next for Jessup is the newest chapter, as Jessup University's tenure in the NAIA is officially over with Wednesday's result. The university will transition into NCAA Division II and the PacWest Conference this summer.
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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).
