LAKE WALES, Fla. (March 22, 2022) - The Webber International University softball team opened its three-game series against Crooked Lake rivals, Warner University, on Tuesday evening. The Royals would walk it off in the bottom of the seventh to earn a game one victory over the Warriors, 3-2.

On the mound for the Warriors (21-9 overall, 5-2 SUN) would be Kayla Swinson who would pitch six innings, allowing three runs on six hits and picking up five strikeouts along the way.

The game would remain scoreless until the top of the fourth inning in which Webber would score the first run of the game after Kelsea Friend would cross home plate after an error by the third baseman. Warner (13-14, 3-4) would respond in the bottom half of the inning with two runs of their own to take the lead after an RBI-single and RBI-double. In the top of inning number six, the Warriors would score the equalizer after a double to left field from Maddie Houtz would score Abigail Thompson, tying the game at 2-2 heading into the final inning of play. The following inning, the Warriors would have an opportunity to take the lead with runners at the corners and one out, however, the Royals would work themselves out of the inning to keep the game tied. Warner would hit a lead-off double to start the bottom of the seventh and with the next at-bat, score an unearned run to end the game after an error by the catcher.

The Warriors were led by Houtz who ended the game 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI followed by Krista Hoyt who was also 2-for-3 with two singles. Brandy Barquin would finish 1-for-2 with a walk and Friend would be 1-for-3 with a run scored.

Webber will be back in action tomorrow, March 23, at 5 and 7 p.m. as they play the final two games of the series in a doubleheader. The Warriors will then return home as they host the University of South Carolina Beaufort in a three-game series on March 25 and 26.