Lake Wales, FL – The 12th ranked Webber International Baseball team closed out its regular-season series against Warner with a strong finish on Saturday afternoon, defeating the Royals 7-4 at Sikes Family Field. The Warriors used a three-run fifth inning to take the lead before adding two important insurance runs in the ninth to secure the Sun Conference victory.
Warner struck first with a run in the opening inning and added two more in the second to take a 3-0 lead. Webber began cutting into the deficit in the third inning after Tugg Hollandsworth worked a one-out walk and Mike Cuello was hit by a pitch. Will Gisriel then drew a walk to load the bases, and Steven Nitch reached on an error that allowed Hollandsworth to score. Austen Jaslove followed by getting hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, bringing Cuello home and trimming the Warner lead to 3-2.
The Warriors broke through in the fifth inning to take control. Gisriel led off the frame with a single to left field before Jaslove reached on an error, putting two runners in scoring position. Fabian Amaro delivered the key swing of the inning, doubling to right field to score both Gisriel and Jaslove and give Webber a 4-3 advantage. David Zamora entered as a pinch runner and later stole third before coming home on a wild pitch, extending the Warriors' lead to 5-3.
Warner got one run back in the seventh, but Webber's pitching staff kept the Royals from tying the game. After Trevor Carter started on the mound, Brandon Vazquez gave the Warriors two scoreless innings in relief, striking out two. Gregory Bori followed with four strong innings out of the bullpen, allowing just one run, before Zach Hessler closed the door in the ninth with a scoreless frame to earn the save.
Webber added breathing room in the top of the ninth. Jalen Martinez came off the bench and singled to left field, then stole second. Keegan Martin and Hollandsworth each worked walks to load the bases, and Ty Mathews was hit by a pitch to bring Martinez home. Cuello was then hit by a pitch as well, scoring Martin and pushing the lead to 7-4.
The Warriors finished with seven hits, led by Hollandsworth, who went 2-for-2 with a double, four walks and a run scored. Martin added a triple and scored twice, while Amaro drove in two runs with his fifth-inning double. Mathews, Cuello and Jaslove each added an RBI, while Martinez, Zamora and Mathews each recorded stolen bases.
The Warriors now look to the SUN Conference Tournament, where they will be the 1-seed thanks to winning the Conference Regular Season Title.
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