LAKE WALES, Fla.- The Warriors baseball team traveled across Crooked Lake to take on rival Warner University and defeated them 6-3. A five run ninth inning allowed Webber to prevail.

 

The season opener for both squads saw the pitchers dominate for the majority of the game. The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the sixth when the Royals catcher Herb Sickler drove in a run but ended the inning by getting thrown out at second trying to take and extra bag. Webber evened the score in the eighth when Shane McIntyre doubled to right center field driving in Cody Whitlow who pinch hit earlier in the inning. McIntyre was thrown out at third after the run scored.

 

Warner tallied two in the bottom of the eighth inning and sent the game to the ninth with just three outs left for the Warriors. Nate Goldstein reached on an infield single with one out. Josh Longbrake pinch ran for Goldstein. Alex Martinez then reached on an error by the Royals third basemen, making it one out with runners at first and second. Ryan O'Gara then walked to load the bases. Travis Noland then hit a pop-up on the infield and the infield fly rule was called. The pop up was dropped and in the confusion Lngbrake scored making the scored 3-2. Randy Hernandez drew a walk in a pinch hit appearance and was replaced at first by Taylor Mathis who re-entered the game. Carlo Galluccio then doubled to right center driving in two runs. Vince Ratto then hit a ground ball to the first baseman who missed played it allowing two runs to score. The Warriors took a 6-3 lead into the ninth. Galluccio then took the mound and shut the door picking up two strike outs and earning the save. Ryan O'Gara picked up the win in relief.

 

Leading the way for the Warriors at the plate was Galluccio who had two hits, two RBI, and a run scored.

 

Webber is now 1-0 on the season and will take the field again Saturday January 29 as they take on South Florida Community College. The game is at SFCC and is scheduled to start at 1 pm. For all Warrior athletic updates please log on to www.webberathletics.com.