LINCOLN, Calif. - Jessup University baseball's split against Point Loma was highlighted by walk-off heroics on Friday afternoon, 4-3 and 8-0.
In their last series at McBean Park for the 2026 campaign, the Warriors welcomed the Sea Lions for a four-game series. Point Loma, who has already clinched the PacWest title, visited Jessup for the first time in their PacWest rivalry.
Game One: Jessup 4, Point Loma 3
Jessup struck early, manufacturing a run in the bottom of the first inning from a fielder's choice, 1-0. The Warriors then relied on the long ball to build their lead, with Quinton Hall launching a solo home run to left field in the third inning, 2-1. A sacrifice fly by Montero in the fourth pushed Jessup's advantage to 3-1.
Starting pitcher Eric Vasser navigated a dangerous Point Loma lineup effectively through the first five innings. However, the Sea Lions showed why they are at the top of the conference standings in the sixth. Point Loma launched a crucial two-run home run to left field, tying the game at 3-3 and threatening to steal the momentum.
Jessup's bullpen answered the call to keep the game deadlocked. Noah Souza and Joey Miller combined for 3.1 innings of flawless relief, completely shutting down the Sea Lions and setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
In the bottom of the ninth, with one out and the tension at its peak, shortstop Jayden Montero stepped into the box and delivered the swing of the season. Montero ambushed a pitch and sent a walk-off solo home run sailing over the left-field wall, sending the Jessup dugout into a frenzy at home plate and securing a massive 4-3 win. Joey Miller (1-0) earned the victory in relief.
Head Coach Trevor Paine commented on the clutch moment, "Yea it was our first walk-off of the season and it excites everyone. It shows that we can compete with them and we need to show up tomorrow being confident."
Game Two: Jessup 0, Point Loma 8
In their second matchup, Point Loma struck back in a big way. Awakened by the game-one loss, the Sea Lions offense exploded out of the gates and salvaged the day one split.
The Sea Lions jumped out ahead early against Kai Hirayama in the first inning.
Back-to-back run-scoring doubles quickly put Point Loma up 3-0. The onslaught continued in the second inning when the Sea Lions launched a two-run homer to right-center, extending their lead to 5-0.
Meanwhile, Jessup's bats went quiet against Point Loma's starting pitching. The Sea Lions' staff completely stifled the Warriors, holding them to just two hits in the contest, a single by Colby Pudge and a double down the line by Hunter Hirayama.
Point Loma tacked on three more runs, capped by another two-run double in the sixth inning, cruising to an 8-0 victory to close out the afternoon.
Despite the tough loss in game two, the Warriors are going into Saturday with a pursuit of a postseason appearance. Jessup will look to regroup as they host their final double header at McBean Park for the 2026 campaign. Jessup will host senior day on Saturday in their doubleheader against Point Loma starting at 12:00 PM.
***
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).
