ROCKLIN, Calif. - The PacWest softball season officially kicked off Friday afternoon as the Warriors hosted the Golden Eagles of Concordia University Irvine for the 2026 conference opener. The day ended in a split between the two squads, with CUI taking game one 8-4 and the Warriors bouncing back to claim game two 3-2.
Head coach Brie Campbell commented on her squad's performance: "Today was a massive test of our resilience. We didn't play our cleanest ball in the first game, but I loved our response in Game 2."
The Golden Eagles got off to a hot start in game one with a five-run first inning. Concordia opened the scoring after a Jessup error with the bases loaded and two outs, followed by a two-run home run to extend the early lead.
The Warriors responded in the bottom of the first with a two-run double from Reagann Hoblit to cut the deficit to 5-2. Freshman Kaiya Miller added another run for Jessup in the third inning with an RBI single to right field, bringing the score to 5-3.
Concordia's offense kept pressing as Tatro homered for a second time to extend the lead to 6-3. Miller struck again for the Warriors with another RBI single to make it 6-4, but Concordia pulled away with two late runs to finalize the 8-4 score.
"I was proud of how we didn't just fold," Campbell added. "Seeing Reagann come through with that big double and Kaiya finding a way to drive in runs showed the grit we've been looking for."
Nohemi Livingston pitched a complete game for Jessup, tossing all seven innings.
Looking to earn the split in game two, Aaliyah Tinoco sparked the Warriors in the bottom of the second with a go-ahead solo home run. Hoblit continued her productive day at the plate in the next inning, lifting a sacrifice fly that helped extend the Warriors' lead to 3-0.
The Eagles threatened in the top of the seventh, loading the bases with no outs. While CUI managed to scratch across two runs, the Jessup defense held firm to secure the 3-2 victory and tally their first PacWest win of the season.
Starter Evangelina Chavarria was lights-out through five innings, earning her first win of the year. Korrie Almond came in relief in the seventh to close the door and collect the save.
"To bounce back in Game 2 and secure a win against a team like CUI is huge for our confidence," said Campbell. "Our pitching staff settled in, and our defense made plays when it mattered most."
The Warriors face Concordia again tomorrow in a doubleheader starting at 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM.
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About Jessup University Athletics Jessup University is a member of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division II and the PacWest Conference. 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 (Instagram & X).
