GULF SHORES, Ala. (March 8, 2020) – The nationally-recognized Webber International University softball team entered the weekend in Gulf Shores, Alabama, with only one loss on the season, but unfortunately that all changed as the Warriors lost four straight at the Gulf Shores Invitational. Webber fell 5-1 to Freed-Hardeman University (Tenn.) and 5-3 to No. 10 Georgia Gwinnett College on Friday, March 6, and then on Saturday, March 7, the Warriors lost 3-1 to No. 8 the University of Mobile (Ala.) and 6-3 against Grace College (Ind.).

Webber softball is now 15-5 overall on the season.

COACH'S CORNER: "Unfortunately we didn't have the weekend we wanted to have as a program," said Webber's Head Softball Coach Kristy Burton. "Although not the outcome we hoped for, we have learned a lot from this weekend and are looking forward to seeing how the team can respond this upcoming week. Thank you to everyone who came out and supported us this past weekend."
 
Game 1 (RV Webber 1, Freed-Hardeman 5)

• It was only the second loss of the season for the Warriors at the time as Webber did not score an earned run, was held to five hits and was struck out nine times while giving up two home runs.
• Dariyen Moss pitched 4.1 innings of relief and gave up zero runs and only three hits.
• Kaitlin Cockcroft was 2-for-4 with a double while Victoria Atkinson also added a double.
• The Warriors did have three stolen bases, one each from Moss, Kelsea Friend and Cockcroft.

 
Game 2 (RV Webber 3, No. 10 Georgia Gwinnett 5):

• The Warriors took a 2-1 lead in the top of fourth inning as Mary-Margaret Maggard led off with a double and scored on a bases loaded walk by Alyssa Rodriguez with two outs before a Grizzles' throwing error scored Sabrina Hebding.
• After another double by Maggard, this time with two outs in the top of the fifth before she scored on the ensuing single by Victoria Atkinson, Webber then led 3-1 through four and a half innings before allowing GGC to rally with three runs on two RBI-doubles in the bottom of the sixth to come from behind and win it.
• Maggard finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two doubles.
• Emma Maitland (6-1) tossed her sixth complete game of the season but allowed nine walks, six hits and five runs.
• Additionally, the Warriors' offense was limited to only five hits for the second game in a row.

 
Game 3 (RV Webber 1, No. 8 Mobile 3):

• The Warriors were held to only four hits and struck out seven times, falling behind 3-0 after three innings and never being able to recover.
• Mary-Margaret Maggard was 2-for-3, her second game in a row with two hits. In the top of the sixth, she connected on her fourth home run of the season, a solo shot to make the score 3-1.
• Emma Maitland (6-2) went six innings allowing eight hits and three runs, recording her seventh complete game of the season and second in as many games for Webber.

 
Game 4 (RV Webber 3, Grace 6):

• The Warriors led 2-1 after two innings and then scored in the bottom of the fifth inning to tie the game at 3-3 as Alyssa Rodriguez doubled to right field with two outs and was brought home on a hit to center by Mary-Margaret Maggard.
• Rodriguez would finish 2-for-4 at the plate.
• Unfortunately, Grace answered back one half inning later with three runs all on two outs in the top of the sixth to double up the score at 6-3.
• As a team, the Warriors committed four errors.

 
NEXT UP: The Warriors will host the University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) in a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. on Monday, March 9, in Babson Park, Florida. The Patriots handed the Warriors their first loss of the current season by a close score of 5-4 back on February 22 at the Bear Creek Tournament. It was the Warriors' only loss through their first 16 games of the season.