CLERMONT, Fla. (May 6, 2021) – The No. 1-seeded Webber International University softball team got off to a great start at the 2021 Sun Conference Softball Tournament, taking down No. 4-seeded the University of South Carolina Beaufort by a final score of 8-0 in six innings to move into the TSC semifinals at PFX Athletics Legends Way Ballfields.

It was the opening day of the double-elimination tournament as Webber (29-22 overall) scored in each of the first four innings of the game and led it 7-0 with 10 hits after four innings. Then in the bottom of the sixth inning, a leadoff triple to right center field by Mary-Margaret Maggard was followed by a walk off single up the middle by Victoria Atkinson to end the game.

Emma Maitland (12-9), meanwhile, pitched her 13th complete game and fourth shutout of the season allowing three hits and no walks to go along with four strikeouts.

Offensively, Maggard was 3-for-4, Kaitlin Cockcroft was 2-for-3 with two runs batted in and two runs scored, Atkinson was 2-for-3 with two RBI's, and Abigail Thompson was 2-for-2 with two runs scored.

Webber's Head Coach Kristy Burton said, "I am so proud of the team that showed up today. We had fun and just played ball. Emma [Maitland] did a great job on the mound shutting out a hot USCB team. Defensively, we made the plays we needed to. Offensively, we showed up as a team passing the bat and scoring runs in almost every inning. I am excited to see our team come out tomorrow. Thanks to all of the fans here supporting, and we hope to keep making you proud. Go Warriors."

It was a great start for the Warriors as Cockcroft led off the bottom of the first inning with a single to right center field and then stole second base with one out. Cockcroft then moved to third on a single to the shortstop by Maggard and scored on an RBI-groundout to second base by Atkinson to make it 1-0.

In the bottom of the second inning, Webber batted around and put up four runs on four hits as Thompson led off with a walk, went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Haley Saylor, got to third on a single to shortstop by Faith Campopiano, and then scored on a single up the middle by Kelsea Friend to make it 2-0.

Cockcroft then followed with a big two-run triple to right center field to make it 4-0, and then Maggard got a two-out single through the left side as Cockcroft scored for the second time in the game to make it 5-0.

Thompson led off the bottom of the third inning with an inside the park home run to right field to make it 6-0, and then in the bottom of the fourth, Saylor came up with a one-out, RBI-single to third base to make it 7-0.

The Warriors will now play at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 7, in the TSC Semifinals against No. 2-seeded the College of Coastal Georgia. A win over the Mariners, and Webber will advance to the TSC Championship game at 12 p.m. on Saturday, May 8, while a loss would mean the Warriors need to play again on Friday at 7 p.m. to keep their season alive.