BABSON PARK, Fla. (April 27, 2023) - The Webber International University softball team hosted their Crooked Lake rivals, Warner University, for the opening game of the final three-game series of the regular-season on Thursday afternoon. A pitching duel ended in favor of the Royals, 2-1, after extra innings, ending postseason contention for the Warriors.

The Warriors (13-29 overall, 7-15 SUN) needed to sweep the Royals (19-23, 10-12) in order to leap-frog their rivals and earn a spot in The Sun Conference tournament.

Starting on the rubber for Webber was freshman Taylor Thomas, tossing all eight innings and allowing just two runs, only one of which was earned, on seven hits and recording a season-high 11 strikeouts.

Webber scored the first run of the game in the third inning. Alycia Celia drew a walk to lead off the inning and reached second on a fielder's choice and then advanced to third on a wild pitch. With two outs, Genesis Aviles delivered a triple down the right field line to score Celia and gift the Warriors the lead.

In the top of the sixth, the Royals would equalize on a fielder's choice bunt to level the game at 1-1 and eventually force extra innings. Warner was able to squeak another run across on the same exact bunt in the top half of the eighth. The Warriors were unable to bring home the run from second and suffered a 2-1 defeat.

Webber had just four total hits in the game, the other three hits being singles by Maddie Houtz, Johnkira Bland, and Samantha Proctor.

The three-game series continues tomorrow, April 28th, with a doubleheader at 1 and 3 p.m. It will also be Senior Day in which the Warriors will recognize their six graduating seniors.