BABSON PARK, Fla. (March 14, 2019) – The nationally-recognized Webber International University softball team returned to Sun Conference action with a bang, defeating No. 24-nationally ranked Warner University 4-0 and 1-0 in the two game series on Thursday at Nancy Nichols Field.

The Crooked Lake battle was a war between both pitching staffs as Webber came out on top, shutting own Warner twice to extend its Sun Conference scoreless streak to 29 consecutive innings to open the league slate.

Raven White (6-1) closed out the final inning of game one for her first save of the year before starting game two and going the distance allowing six hits and one walk while striking out two Royals.

Game two was decided in walk off fashion by catcher Victoria Atkinson with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to cap off the exciting series.

With a runner on first and the game still tied at 0-0, the Warriors looked to Atkinson to deliver, and she did just that with a line drive shot to left center field to bring in the pinch runner and freshman Katey Sanders to score the game winning run.

Sanders replaced Mary-Margaret Maggard on the base paths after Maggard walked with one out to get the eventual game-winning run on base.

Sanders also played a significant role in game one as a late substitution in right field, gunning down a Warner base runner who was tagging from third on a fly out with a laser throw to Atkinson at home plate to end the top of the seventh.

In game one, Emma Maitland (5-1) earned the win with six innings pitched allowing only five hits and three walks with four strikeouts.

What would go on to be the winning run for Webber in game one came in the bottom of the third inning as Kaitlin Cockcroft led off with a single up the middle, moved to second on a single through the left side by Atkinson and then scored on a single through the right side by Samantha Rolfe.

Then, in the fourth inning, Alyssa Rodriguez led off with a single through the left side before the next batter, Maggard, homered to left to make it 3-0 Warriors.

Webber's final run also came in the fourth inning as Cockroft followed Maggard's bomb with a single to left and stole second base before scoring again on a hit by Sabrina Hebding through the left side.

Head Coach Kristy Burton spoke after the pair of wins saying, "Coach Kendall Core and I were excited to see this team come out ready to play, taking two huge wins against a well-respected Warmer program. Our pitchers continue to give us opportunities in every game giving us time to make adjustments at the plate. Timely hits have been crucial for us lately. We are so proud of Mimi [Mary-Margaret Maggard] in the first game hitting her third homer of the season and Victoria [Atkinson] in the second game closing out the day coming in clutch with the walkoff triple in the seventh. This team loves this game; every opportunity they get to play they take advantage of it. I look forward to seeing how we come out on Sunday as we try to stay undefeated at home."

The Warriors, which are now riding a 10-game winning streak and are 6-0 at home on the season, improved to 15-5 overall and 4-0 in The Sun Conference after also sweeping previously-ranked No. 22 Southeastern University last weekend. Warner, which was on an 11-game winning streak before Thursday, fell to 14-4 and 0-2 in The Sun Conference after what was its first two conference games of the season.

Next up for Webber is another home doubleheader against Grand View University starting at 1 p.m. on Sunday, November 17. Like the Warriors, Grand View is now receiving votes in the first edition of the NAIA Softball Coaches' Top 25 Poll after ranking No. 21 during the preseason edition of the poll.