TEXARKANA, Texas (February 4, 2019) – The Webber International University softball team won each of the first three games of its new 2019 season before dropping a tight one-run game in the finale of the Eagle Classic, hosted by Texas A&M-Texarkana. On Friday, February 1, the Warriors defeated Sterling College (Kan.) 11-1 to kick off the season, and then Webber took down the host school, Texas A&M-Texarkana, 12-1 in only five innings. On Saturday, February 2, Webber defeated Sterling again, this time by a score of 6-4 in a comeback effort; but in the Warriors' final game of the weekend, again against the host school, Webber fell short by a score of 2-1.

Head Coach Kristy Burton, who is beginning her first season at the helm of the Warriors' softball team, spoke about the weekend saying, "I am very proud with how we came out this weekend. This team has worked very hard in the offseason to get to this point. As a team we hit very aggressively and continued to put pressure on our opponents outscoring our opponents 30-8 on the weekend. Our pitching staff worked together to keep us in every game. Coach Kendall Core and I were so happy to see everything start to click. We are very excited for this spring."

Game 1 (Webber 11, Sterling 1):

• Webber struck first with a big six-run top of the first to take control.
• In all, the Warriors scored 11 runs on 12 hits with zero errors while Sterling only scored once on four hits with one error.
• Raven White (1-0) earned the start and the win with 4.1 innings pitched allowing only three hits and one run.
• Stacy Pericles finished off the final 2.2 innings while surrendering only one hit.
• Cassidy Roberts, Samantha Rolfe, and Sabrina Hebding each recorded two hits while Roberts and Hebing each added two RBI's as well.
• In addition to a triple by Victoria Atkinson, the Warriors also put together three doubles and four stolen bases, and had three batters hit by a pitch.

 
Game 2 (Webber 12, Texas A&M-Texarkana 1):

• Webber scored three runs in each of the first and second innings before putting up a six-spot in the top of the fourth inning to put it out of reach. The six-run fourth was Webber's second six-run inning and third inning with four or more runs in its first two games to start the season.
• In all, Webber's 12 runs came on only nine hits with four walks while the Eagles were held to one run on only two hits with five errors.
• Emma Maitland (1-0) pitched the first three innings allowing one run and only one hit to claim the win in her first appearance as a Warrior.
• Stephanie Johnson and Dariyen Moss each pitched one scoreless inning to close it out in the circle.
• Offensively, Victoria Atkinson and Mary-Margaret Maggard each recorded two hits while Maggard scored twice and brought in three RBI's and Atkinson scored three times with two RBI's.
• Additionally, Maggard hit two doubles on the game while Atkinson recorded her second triple in as many contests.
• Cassidy Roberts also scored three times, and Anna Schutzler had two RBI's.

 
Game 3 (Webber 6, Sterling 4):

• Webber let up a run in the top of the first and fell behind 4-0 after a three-run top of the third by Sterling, but the Warriors battled back with a run in each of the third, fourth and fifth innings before completing the comeback with a three-run bottom of the sixth. It was the Warriors' sixth inning with three or more runs scored in three games to kick off the season.
• Both teams finished with seven hits while Sterling committed four errors and Webber had two.
• Emma Maitland (2-0) earned her second win in as many games by pitching the final 4.2 innings and allowing three hits and two runs while striking out six.
• Kaitlin Cockcroft was the lone Warrior with two hits in this one as she and Victoria Atkinson both homered.
• Cassidy Roberts, Atkinson and Samantha Rolfe each doubled while CC Smith added her second stolen base of the season.

 
Game 4 (Webber 1, Texas A&M-Texarkana 2):

• The Warriors scored first win a run in the bottom of the first inning but were shut down from there as the Eagles scored twice in the top of the third to hand Webber its first loss of the year.
• Webber was held to one run on five hits and Texas A&M-Texarkana had two runs on only three hits, but drew six walks.
• Stacy Perciles (0-1) took the loss with 2.1 innings, three hits, two runs and four walks to her credit, but Emma Maitland performed well across the final 4.2 innings allowing zero hits to keep it at a one-run deficit.
• Cassidy Roberts was Webber's lone player with multiple hits, finishing 3-for-4 with two doubles while also scoring the Warriors' lone run of the contest.
• Anna Schutzler added a stolen base.

 
Combined Statistical Leaders:

• Cassidy Roberts hit .571 on the weekend with eight hits, five runs and four doubles.
• Victoria Atkinson and Samantha Rolfe both hit .417 with five hits while Atkinson also added six runs scored and four RBI's. Atkinson led the Warriors with four extra base hits on the weekend, smacking one home run, two triples and one double, good for a whopping slugging percentage of 1.083.
• Newcomer Mary-Margaret Maggard matched Atkinson and Rolfe for the team lead in RBI's with four.
• In the circle, newcomer Emma Maitland tossed 12.1 total innings and made three appearances, finishing the weekend with a 2.19 earned run average and 11 strikeouts. Raven White had a 2.08 ERA in 4.1 innings, Stephanie Johnson had an ERA of 2.70 in 3.1 innings, and Stacy Pericles had an ERA of 3.60 across five innings.

 
 
Webber Softball 2019 Season Preview Q&A with new Head Coach Kristy Burton:
 
Q: Who are your key returners that you are most excited about?
A: "I am looking forward to seeing Victoria Atkinson, Cassidy Roberts, and Raven White continue to have an impact on this program."
 
Q: Who are your newcomers that you are most looking forward to seeing?
A: "Emma Maitland, Stacy Pericles and Mimi Maggard [Mary-Margaret Maggard] are among those I hope to see set up as impact players not only for our program but throughout our conference"
 
Q: What are your expectations going into the year?
A: "I am very excited for Warrior softball this upcoming season. This team has worked incredible hard this past fall and we are all anxiously awaiting this spring. This team has chemistry that didn't come easy but became understood as they were challenged to work through adversity and found out ways to completely align their goals with the vision I set for this program. I am confident in my pitching staff and believe we could be the best pitching staff in the conference if we continue to work towards our goals. I look forward to being a very aggressive offensive team. Most importantly we want to earn the home field advantage at Nancy Nichols Field by having the best fans in The Sun Conference. We would love to have your support at all home games and keep track of our social media for special events. We look forward to your support in the spring. Go Warriors."