BABSON PARK, Fla. (February 24, 2023) - The Webber International University softball team hosted the 2022 NAIA Softball World Series Runners-Up, No. 2 University of Mobile, in a doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon. The top-25 matchup ended with the Rams taking game one 1-0 before toppling the Warriors 11-5 in game two.

The first game was the definition of a pitcher's duel as freshman Taylor Thomas made her collegiate debut in the circle. She performed admirably against the No. 2 team in the NAIA as she tossed seven innings, allowing just one run on six hits and tallied three strikeouts.

The Warriors (0-4 overall) came agonizingly close to taking the lead in the fifth inning as they had the bases loaded, but the Rams (7-1) were able to work themselves out of the inning. Mobile picked up the only run of the game in the top of the seventh. Webber was unable to bring a run across in the bottom half as they fell by a slim one run margin.

Both Maddie Houtz and Brandy Barquin ended the game 2-for-3 with a pair of singles while Gensis Aviles finished 1-for-3 with a triple.

Victoria Nearing earned her second start of the season in game two but was replaced by Jenna Chaudoin after just an inning. A combination of Chloe Rayner and Anastasia Suhetskis would close out the final five innings.

The Rams jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning after a two-run home run. Mobile extended its lead even further the next two innings with four in the second and three in the third, taking a 9-0 lead. The Warriors fought back and gradually cut the lead back to just five in the sixth inning, but it was too little too late as the Rams added yet another run in the seventh.

Johnkira Bland finished game two with a double and an RBI. Barquin finished 1-for-4 with two RBI's as Aviles was 1-for-2 with two walks and a run scored. Graduate-transfer Gracie Lopez led the Warriors with two runs scored and ended 1-for-4 as well.

The schedule does not get any easier for Webber as five of their next six games are against ranked opponents. The Warriors first play host to No. 11 Grand View University in a doubleheader on Sunday, February 26th at 1 and 3 p.m. before traveling to Gulf Shores, Alabama for the Gulf Coast Invitational.