BABSON PARK, Fla. (February 9, 2022) - The Webber International University softball team hosted the Mount Mercy University Mustangs in a doubleheader for its 2022 home-opener at Nancy Nichols Field. The Warriors earned the sweep after a 3-2 victory in eight innings followed by a 4-1 victory in game number two.

Jenna Chaudoin would be the Warriors' (3-1 overall) starting pitcher in game one. The game would begin scoreless through the first four innings with Mount Mercy (0-2) striking first in the top of the fifth. The Warriors would respond in the next half inning after an RBI double to left field from Genesis Aviles. The Mustangs would regain the lead in the top of the sixth with an RBI double of their own down the left field line. The bottom of the seventh would be the last chance for the Warriors as they would start the inning with back-to-back walks. With one out and runners on second and third, a wild pitch from Mount Mercy would score the tying run.

The teams would enter the eighth inning in a Texas tie-breaker, in which the teams start the inning with a runner on second base. Webber would go 1-2-3 in the top half of the inning. A sacrifice bunt from Brandy Barquin would move the runner over to third before another wild pitch would score Taylor Bias, earning the Warriors the walk-off victory.

"What a great way to start our season at home," spoke Head Coach Kristy Burton. "We are so proud of this team and the fight they showed through both games today. The girls came out ready to go. Our pitching staff did a great job setting the tone for our defense and keeping Mount Mercy's offensive attack to a minimum. Offensively, we did what we needed to do to give ourselves a chance in the bottom of the eighth for the walk-off."

Aviles' double and Abigail Thompson's single in the fifth inning would be the only two hits for Webber in the game. Chaudoin would give up one run on four hits while striking out four in her six innings of action. Morgan Mills would give up one run on one hit with one strikeout in her two innings of work.

Starting in the pitcher's circle for the Warriors in game two was Kayla Swinson. She would earn her second complete game this season after giving up just one run on seven hits and striking out eight.

The Warriors would score twice in the bottom of the first inning after an RBI triple from Mary-Margaret Maggard and an RBI sacrifice bunt from Maddie Houtz, scoring Maggard. Mount Mercy would score its lone run in the top of the third inning. Webber would extend its lead with an RBI single to right center from Witney Bones in the fourth inning and an RBI single from Thompson in the fith.

Aviles would finish game two going 2-3 while Thompson went 2-3 with an RBI. Kelsea Friend went 1-1 with two runs scored while Maggard was 1-2 with a triple, an RBI, and a run scored. Bias and Bones would each have a stolen base.

"Our bats came to life in game two," continued Coach Burton. "We were proud of Maggard getting a triple to score the first run of the game followed by a perfectly executed squeeze by Houtz to give us the early advantage in game two. Our pitching staff and defense kept us in both games, allowing us to get the sweep. We look forward to getting back on the field tomorrow. Go Warriors!"

Next up, the Warriors face No. 15 nationally-ranked Freed-Hardeman University tomorrow, Thursday, at 1 and 3 p.m. on Nancy Nichols Field. The team then has a one-day break before matching up against Bryan College in a doubleheader on Saturday, February 12th, at 12 and 2 p.m.