BABSON PARK, Fla. (March 6, 2023) - The Webber International University softball team returned home after a tough trip to Alabama as they hosted Cleary University in a doubleheader on Monday afternoon. The Warriors took wins in both games against the Cougars with slim one-run margins of victory.

Victoria Nearing took to the circle first for the Warriors (4-8 overall) in game one as she tossed 3.2 innings, allowing six runs on nine hits. She was relieved by Anastasia Suhetskis but only briefly as she re-entered the game. Jenna Chaudoin later took over and threw a scoreless 2.2 innings, giving up just one hit and recording three strikeouts to earn the win.

Cleary (3-12) got on the board first with one run in the top of the first but Webber quickly responded with a run of its own in the bottom half thanks to an RBI-single up the middle from Johnkira Bland. The bats then got hot on both sides in the second inning as the Cougars tallied four runs in the top half before the Warriors once again retaliated with a five-run bottom half.

Gracie Lopez walked home the first run of the inning after being hit by a pitch before a pair of RBI-singles from Genesis Aviles and Brandy Barquin brought home two more. Cleary then walked home another run before a sacrifice fly by Maddie Houtz earned Webber the lead. The Cougars tied the game back up in the fourth inning, but an single through the right side from Hayley Saylor scored Chaudoin in the bottom of the fifth to regain the lead for the Warriors.

Saylor was perfect at the plate as she went 3-for-3 with the game-winning RBI and a run scored. Bland ended 1-for-2 with team-highs in RBI's with two and walks with two. Nicole Guttierez finished 2-for-4 while Aviles led the team in runs scored with two and was 1-for-3 with an RBI as well.

Game number two saw freshman Chloe Rayner take to the mound as she allowed just two runs on seven hits in 3.2 innings of work. Chaudoin entered the game yet again and delivered 3.1 solid innings, once again conceding just a single base hit while picking up two strikeouts.

The Cougars took another early lead after scoring once in the first inning and again in the third, for an early 2-0 lead. The Warriors loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning, where Saylor then lined a double into right center field to clear the bases and take a 3-2 lead which remained for the rest of the game.

Lopez led the team in total hits as she finished 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored. However, Saylor once again made the difference as she went 1-for-4 with a double and three RBI's.

The action-packed week is just getting started for the Warriors as they take on Lawrence Tech in a doubleheader tomorrow, March 7th at 1 and 3 p.m. Webber will then battle Calumet College of St. Joseph on Thursday, March 9th at 1 and 3 p.m.