LAKELAND, Fla. (March 9, 2019) –  The Webber International University softball team started Sun Conference play with a statement, shutting down No. 22 Southeastern University with two shutouts, winning 2-0 in eight innings in game one before taking game two 1-0.

On a day that only saw three runs scored in total while both teams had the same number of hits in both games, the Warriors' bats did enough to support the back-to-back shutout performances by Stephanie Johnson (2-0) and Emma Maitland (3-1).

Webber struggled just as much as Southeastern to put runs across the plate in game one until senior Ka'Deisha McCowen started off extras with a single before coming around for the first run of the game on a gap shot double to right center field by Mary-Margaret Maggard.

The Warriors added an insurance run off a fielder's choice by catcher Victoria Atkinson as Maggard scored on an error by the Southeastern shortstop.

Johnson pitched the entire first game including the extra inning it took to decide the contest. She only let up two hits and two walks on the day.

After an excellent pitching outing by Johnson, Maitland followed that with almost identical numbers allowing only two hits with no walks, improving her earned run average to an impressive 1.42 on the year.

The Warriors' only run they needed in game two came in the second inning thanks to another RBI-double by Maggard, this time to left center field scoring Cassidy Roberts. Maggard finished the day with two game-winning RBI-doubles, and is now batting .383 on the season while leading the team with 14 RBI's.

"I was so happy with our team's success today," said Head Coach Kristy Burton. "I love opening up conference with two road wins against a very respected program. Emma and Steph both really stepped up for our program and kept Southeastern's hits to a minimum. Offensively we did a great job making adjustments at the plate, which allowed us to have some timely hits when it mattered. Defensively, this was the best I have seen our team play. They made countless big plays and left it all on the field. I am excited to see this team continue to grow and play with passion and look forward to playing this week at home against Warner."

Webber improved to 11-5 overall and 2-0 in the TSC while Southeastern fell to 13-10 and 0-2.

Coming into the season, the Warriors were ranked ninth out nine teams in the NAIA preseason ratings for The Sun Conference and were picked seventh out of nine teams in the TSC Preseason Coaches' Poll while Southeastern was rated No. 1 in both rankings.

After two nonconference games on Monday, March 11, at the Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex in Leesburg, Florida, the Warriors will host TSC opponent and Crooked Lake rival Warner University on Nancy Nichols Field with action starting at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 14, in Babson Park, Florida.