BABSON PARK, Fla. (January 31, 2020) – The new 2020 softball season is set to kickoff this Wednesday, February 5, as the Webber International University Warriors look to carry their success from last season, the team's first under Head Coach Kristy Burton, into this season.

In 2019, Webber defeated all other nine teams in the conference at least once during the regular season before advancing to The Sun Conference Tournament as the No. 4 seed and getting to within two outs of advancing to the championship game. The Warriors finished the season 27-19 overall, 14-10 in The Sun Conference and 13-5 at home.

"We are very excited for this upcoming season," spoke Coach Burton. "We had a great year last year and although we fell short of our goals last season, we have used it as motivation to work harder, grow closer and just enjoy every day as a team. This team is driven and working every day to not only reach our goals but exceed them. Beating every conference opponent last season was a huge accomplishment for us, but we know going into this season we will have a target on our back. As a coaching staff, we look forward to seeing this team respond to the challenge. Our biggest goals for our kids are to use their passion for this game to drive them to have the best season yet."

Webber's new 2020 campaign will begin with a doubleheader at home against Trinity Baptist College. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. on February 5.

Then, following an exhibition doubleheader against Broward College at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, February 12, also at home, the Warriors will not return to Nancy Nichols Field until the end of the month of February to host back-to-back nonconference doubleheaders against Florida National University (Wed., Feb. 26) and Calumet College of St. Joseph (Sat., Feb. 29).

Webber's 2020 Sun Conference opener will come at home on Wednesday, March 11, at 1 p.m. against Thomas University, and then the Warriors will play on the road for the first time in TSC action three days later on Saturday, March 14, at the College of Coastal Georgia in Brunswick, Georgia.

During the regular season in 2019, Webber won three of its four meetings against both Polk County rival Southeastern University and Crooked Lake rival Warner University. In 2020, Webber will battle Warner and Southeastern in back-to-back doubleheaders as the Warriors and Royals meet for the first time at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, in Babson Park, Florida, followed by a road meeting between Webber and the Fire at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, in Lakeland, Florida. Then, Webber will play a doubleheader at Warner starting at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, before hosting its Senior Day against Southeastern starting at 12 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, at Nancy Nichols Field.

The Warriors' final home doubleheader of the year will come starting at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, against TSC foe St. Thomas University, and then Webber will finish the regular season on Saturday, April 25, on the road against the University of South Carolina Beaufort, the only Sun Conference team to finish 2019 nationally ranked in the NAIA Softball Coaches' Top 25 Postseason Poll.

In the 2020 TSC Preseason Softball Poll, USCB was picked to repeat as the conference champions while Coastal Georgia was second, Thomas was third and the Warriors were fourth.

Burton said of her team's 2020 softball schedule, "We have a crazy schedule this year; it really gives the saying 'March Madness' a new softball perspective. We will be in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia in a short two-week stretch. This schedule will be challenging mentally, physically and emotionally, but as a team we know this will help us be the best we can be late in the season."

Webber has added nine new players, three junior college transfers and six freshmen, to its roster for the 2020 season.

Returning to lead the Warriors in 2020 will be the trio of senior catcher Victoria Atkinson, senior pitcher Emma Maitland and junior utility player Mary-Margaret Maggard, who were all named All-Sun Conference a year ago. Atkinson and Maitland were also both named TSC All-Tournament while Maggard was named to the NFCA All-Region II First-Team and Atkinson made the NFCA All-Region II Second-Team. The pair of Maggard and Atkinson became the first Warriors to make the all-region team for softball since 2012.

Other returners looking to have a great season include seniors Cassidy Roberts, Kaitlin Cockcroft, Alyssa Rodriguez, Sabrina Hebding, Raven White, Anna Schutzler, Dariyen Moss and Aja Eglton and juniors Daisy Riggleman, Samantha Rolfe and Blakeleigh Boyett. In all, it will be a very large 10-person senior class for the Warriors.

Top newcomers in 2020 for the Warriors include: infielder Krista Hoyt, a junior transfer from Polk State College; outfielder Kelsea Friend, a junior transfer from St Johns River State College; and catcher and third baseman Abigail Thompson, a junior transfer from Eastern Florida State College.

"I am excited to have our three transfers join us the season," added Burton. "Each of them bring something different to our program, and I look forward to seeing their success on and off the field for this team."

Nearly all of Webber's home softball games and many of its road games will feature live stats and live video of the action, so check out our Stretch Internet and Live Events pages for all of the details.

"Overall there are a lot of great things happening for Webber softball," concluded Burton. "This team has set goals and is determined to have a great season. We look forward to getting back out on the field to compete as a family and represent Webber softball not only in conference but nationally as well."