GULF SHORES, Ala. (March 5, 2023) - The Webber International University softball team traveled to Alabama in order to take part in the Gulf Coast Invitational in which they played four games in total, three of which were against NAIA Top-25 opposition. Unfortunately, the Warriors went 0-4 over the weekend.
 

In game one, the Warriors (2-8 overall) faced the University of Houston-Victoria Jaguars (6-9). Jenna Chaudoin started in the circle for Webber and allowed three runs in the first inning before shutting down the Jaguars lineup for the rest of the game. Unfortunately for Chaudoin and the Warriors, three runs was all that was needed as the Warriors were shut out in game one, 3-0.
 

The Warriors' best opportunity to score came in the bottom of the fourth inning after a Brandy Barquin double followed by a single from Maddie Houtz earned them runners at the corners with one out. However, a strikeout and a pop-out got the Jaguars out of the inning and the Warriors went down quietly in the ensuing innings.
 

Taylor Thomas earned the nod in game two against No. 8 Central Methodist University (8-4). Thomas pitched well through 2.1 innings, only giving up one run until a two-run homerun by the Eagles saw the Warriors turn to Victoria Nearing in relief, now down 3-0. Nearing pitched well in the bottom of the third and fourth innings before getting into a jam in the fifth, giving up an additional three runs to extend the deficit to 6-0.
 

The Warriors mustered just four hits against Central Methodist but their best opportunity to score came in the top of inning number two after a pair of singles by Nicole Gutierrez and Hayley Saylor followed by an error on an Aubrey Brown fielder's choice had runners on the corners with two outs, before a strikeout ended the inning.

Game three saw the Warriors take on No. 25 Saint Xavier University (9-7). Chaudoin started once again for the Warriors, but they quickly found themselves down 2-0 after a throwing error allowed the runners on first and second to score in the first inning. The second inning proved to be even tougher for Chaudoin, as after getting the first two batters out, five straight Cougars got on base and came around to score four more runs extending the lead to 6-0. Chloe Rayner came in to pitch in the second and got the final out of the inning. Rayner pitched well in the third and fourth innings, allowing just one run. The Warriors offense exploded in the fifth inning, scoring five runs on eight hits and trimming the gap to two runs at 7-5. Chaudoin re-entered in the bottom of the fifth inning and shortly after, a throwing error allowed another run to cross for the Cougars. After two quick outs, a fielder's choice and a double scored two more runs for the Saint Xavier. The Cougars eventually extended their lead to eight runs en route to a 13-5 win.
 

Thomas was on the mound to start off the fourth and final game against No. 24 University of the Cumberlands (17-2). She pitched well in the first inning before a single, a double and a wild pitch scored two runs for the Patriots in the second. Cumberlands added another run in the third inning to extend the lead to three. Two singles and a sacrifice fly scored another run for the Patriots in the fifth inning. Two more runs in the sixth extended the lead to six runs and capped off the weekend for the Warriors.
 

Next up, the Warriors will host a doubleheader against Cleary University on March 6th at 1 and 3 p.m. to start a six-game home-stretch over spring break.