LAKELAND, Fla. (March 10, 2021) – After a 12-10 start through its stretch of nonconference games to start off the 2021 season, the Webber International University softball team dropped its first two games of Sun Conference play, both in walk off fashion against No. 25 Southeastern University. The Warriors first lost game one 2-1 as the Fire scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning, and then Webber dropped game two 8-7 after scoring three runs in the top of the eighth but being unable to hold on in the bottom half.

In game one, the only Warrior to reach base in the first four innings was Mary-Margaret Maggard, who led off the game with a walk in the first inning and then tripled with two outs in the third inning. Then in the fifth inning, Haley Saylor led off with a walk before being stranded at third base.

The first run of the game came courtesy of a bases loaded walk by Southeastern in the bottom of the second inning.

In the top of the seventh inning, Webber was able to tie it up at 1-1 as Faith Campopiano led off with a walk, and then on a single to right field by Abigail Thompson with one out, pinch runner Juliana Ortiz scored, but the next runner was thrown out at home plate after the relay by the second baseman.

Instead of the Warriors taking the lead, that left the door open for the Fire to win it in the bottom of the seventh on a two-out double to left field to score the winning run from second base.

Webber was held to only two hits in its first conference game of the season while Emma Maitland (4-4) took the loss despite finishing with her sixth complete game of the season. Maitland pitched 6.2 innings allowing five hits, two runs and four walks.

In game two, Webber trailed 2-0 after the first inning but put together a four-spot in the top of the second inning. Southeastern was able to tie the game at 4-4 after a bunt single brought home a run in the bottom of the sixth inning.

In the eighth inning, Webber scored three times as Thompson singled up the middle to score Alyssa Rodriguez to put the Warriors ahead.

However, in the bottom of the eighth, Southeastern had the bases loaded with nobody out, and came through with a single, a fielder's choice and a sacrifice fly to tie the game before winning it on a one-out RBI-single to left field to score the winning run from third base.

Thompson was 2-for-2 with a run and an RBI in game two while Rodriguez was 2-for-3. Kayla Swinson (6-2) pitched 7.2 innings for her fourth complete game of the season.

"I think we came out playing Webber softball today," said Head Coach Kristy Burton. "Unfortunately, things just didn't go our way. We played two great games against a great opponent, and besides a few mental errors, we left it all on the field. Our pitching staff as a while had to overcome a little adversity, and I was proud of the response. Our defense and hitters kept us in both games and stepped up big today when we needed it, we just have to find a way to finish when we get ahead. Conference play is a different type of game and intensity. I am excited to see how we respond as a team. Overall, I was proud of this team and the way they represented our university today. I look forward to being back home tomorrow. Go Warriors."

Webber fell to 12-12 overall on the season and 0-2 in The Sun Conference while Southeastern improved to 16-7 and 2-0. It was the third time in the last four seasons the Warriors matched up with the Fire to open up their conference slate. The all-time series between Webber and Southeastern was tied at 10-10 between the two teams entering the day, but now it is in Southeastern's favor.

Next up, the Warriors will host a nonconference doubleheader against Calumet College of St. Joseph at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 11, at Nancy Nichols Field. The Warriors are 9-1 against the Crimson Wave all-time.