HATTIESBURG, Miss. (May 18, 2022) - The Webber International University softball team matched up against its host and No. 1-seed William Carey University in the championship final of the Hattiesburg bracket. The Warriors entered the championship game 2-0, meaning the Crusaders would need to beat them twice in order to advance. Game one would prove to be a pitching duel, with No. 6 William Carey taking the first game after a grueling 12-inning game. Webber would bounce back in game two, defeating the Crusaders 5-1 to advance to the NAIA Softball World Series.

Game one would begin with Kayla Swinson on the mound yet again for the Warriors (42-22). This time she would toss 7.2 innings, not allowing a single run and just two hits while striking out six. Morgan Mills would relieve her for the final 4.1 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and two strikeouts.

It was a game of pitching and defense as both teams were held scoreless through 11 innings. There would be just four total hits, two per team, through nine innings. William Carey's (48-11) starting pitcher, Haley Nations, would pitch all 12 innings for the Crusaders while only giving up four hits and striking out 19. In the top of the 12th, the Crusaders would score the first run of the game on an RBI-single. Later in the inning, another single through the left side would score two more to give William Carey a 3-0 lead. A one-two-three bottom of the 12th would hand the Warriors their first loss in the tournament.

Jenna Chaudoin would get the nod in the pitchers circle for game number two. She would allow just one run on four hits and strike out one in her five innings pitched. Swinson would throw the final two innings without allowing any runs and just three hits.

After being held scoreless in game one, the Warriors would start off strong in game two after a single through the right side by Mary-Margaret Maggard would bring home Kelsea Friend for an early 1-0 lead. The lead would be doubled as later in the inning, a throwing error from the pitcher would allow Maggard to score. In the bottom of the third, the Crusaders would pick up their first run of the game on an obstruction call, cutting the Webber-lead in half.

The Warriors would add a few insurance runs in the top of inning number five after a sacrifice fly to left field from Maggard would score Alycia Celia. Then, Paysee Crow would deliver a two-RBI single to left field that brought home both Friend and Abigail Thompson. Webber would increase its lead to 5-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth. The Crusaders would leave two runners on base in each of the final three innings, but the Warriors would hold them scoreless to earn their fourth NAIA Softball World Series appearance.

Webber was led by Friend who ended the game 1-for-3 with two runs scored followed by Maggard who was 1-for-3 with two RBI's and a run scored and Crow who finished 1-for-2 with two RBI's.

The Warriors will now prepare for the NAIA Softball World Series that will take place in Columbus, Georgia at the South Commons Softball Complex beginning on Thursday, May 26.