BABSON PARK, Fla. (March 20, 2021) – The Webber International University softball team earned its second straight conference sweep in a row after winning both games of its doubleheader against the University of South Carolina Beaufort. The Warriors won 1-0 in game number one and then won game two 3-1 on Saturday at Nancy Nichols Field.

Both of Webber's starting pitchers went the distance in their respective games as Kayla Swinson (8-2) earned a shutout in game one allowing only four hits and two walks while striking out six batters.

In game two, Emma Maitland (6-5) also limited the Sand Sharks to only four hits while striking out six, and allowed one run without walking anyone.

It was the fifth complete game and second shutout of Swinson's freshman season so far, and was the fourth straight and eighth overall complete game this year for Maitland.

In game one, Webber was held to only one hit until the sixth inning when Mary-Margaret Maggard came up with a one-out triple to right center field and then scored on the ensuing errant throw by the second baseman trying to get her at third base.

That would be the lone run of the ballgame and was one of only two hits for the Warriors, the first of which was an infield single by Kelsea Friend in the bottom of the third inning.

In game two, it was again Maggard who made her presence felt and got the Warriors on the scoreboard.

Maggard led off the bottom of the first inning with a single to right field, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Alyssa Rodriguez, stole third base and then scored with two outs while Victoria Atkinson avoided being caught in a rundown between first and second base long enough for Maggard to sprint home.

Then in the bottom of the third inning, Maggard tripled to left center field with one out and scored with two outs on a double down the left field line by Atkinson to make the score 2-0.

In the sixth inning, Abigail Thompson answered a solo home run to center field by the Sand Sharks in the top half of the inning with a solo homer to center herself in the bottom half. It was Thompson's first career home run as a Warrior.

Atkinson finished 2-for-2 with a walk in game two while Maggard and Thompson were both 2-for-3.

With its second conference sweep this week, Webber improved to 17-13 overall and 4-2 in The Sun Conference while USCB fell to 9-9 and 1-3. It was the first meeting between the Warriors and the Sand Sharks since they played during The Sun Conference Tournament back on May 3, 2019, a 4-3 loss for Webber.

Head Coach Kristy Burton said, "Two big wins for our program today. It's always an intense environment when we play USCB. Our girls came out and played together, which allowed us to push a few runs across when we needed them. Our pitching staff and defense kept USCB's offense to one run on the day, and that speaks volumes to how great I think we played. Everything just clicked today, and we had fun. I am proud of the sweep and can't wait to get back out on the field with this team."

Next up for Webber will be its final nonconference series on the road in 2021 as the Warriors travel to Hialeah, Florida, to play at Florida National University at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24. Webber and FNU split during the first ever meeting between the two teams back on February 9 earlier this season.