LAKE WALES, Fla. - The Warner University softball team picked up their first two wins of the season with a doubleheader sweep of William Penn University (Iowa) on Tuesday afternoon at Daly Field.  The Lady Royals won game one 7-5 and game two 8-7 to improve to 2-4-1 on the year.  The Statesmen, who are receiving votes in the latest NAIA Softball Coaches' Top 25 poll, drop to 3-4 with the doubleheader sweep.

After three scoreless innings to start the game, both sides combined for six runs in the fourth inning.  The Statesmen broke through first scoring twice in the top half of the inning off Lady Royals' starter Chelsie Valentine.  The Lady Royals answered with four runs of their own in the bottom of the inning.  Kaitlyn Ficarrotta started things off with a sacrifice fly to center scoring Nicole Comstock for the first run.  Erika Shick drove in a pair of runs with a single to left center as well.

In the sixth, the Statesmen took the lead 5-4 but it was short lived as Jessica Adams and Shick combined to drive home three runs in the bottom of the inning.
Valentine (1-1) picked up her first win of the season with six innings of five hit ball.  She struck out seven batters and walked only one. 

Nicole Comstock extended her hitting streak to six games with a 2-for-4 performance.  She collected her first triple of the season and also scored a run.  Jelisa Potter finished 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored while Erika Shick drove in four of Warner's seven runs in the game.

In game two the Lady Royals' offense exploded for seven runs over the first three innings.  Makenzie Garcia drew a bases loaded walk to open the scoring in the first inning; she later singled home a run in the second inning.  Melissa Costero also had two RBIs in the first three innings.

The Lady Royals led 7-5 going into the sixth inning when the Statesmen plated two runs to tie things up.  In the bottom of the sixth, Cynthia Micochero drove home the winning run with an infield single scoring Nicole Comstock from third.

Valentine, who came on in relief in game two, pitched around a two-out single and walk to pick up her second win of the day (2-1).
Erika Shick got the start in the circle and tossed four innings scattering eight hits and five runs (four earned).  Valentine pitched the final three innings scattering three hits and two runs in relief.

Jelisa Potter was perfect at the plate in game two going 2-for-2 with a walk and a double.  Melissa Costero also collected two hits (2-for-3) and drove in two runs.

On Thursday, March 12, the Lady Royals return to Daly Field for a doubleheader with Grand View University (Iowa).  First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.  Game two will follow approximately 30 minutes after game one.