LAKE WALES, Fla. - The Warner Softball wrapped up their regular season on Thursday night with a non-conference double-header against University of Fort Lauderdale at home at Daly Field. The Royals were able to take the 2nd game in the double-header to split the two game series and end their regular season on a high note.
Warner struck first in game 1 of Thursday night's double-header, scoring in the 1st Inning when
Alisha Wagoner hit an RBI single into center field to drive in
Diana Martin to give the Royals an early 1-to-0 lead. Fort Lauderdale responded quickly and took a 3-to-1 lead after the 3rd Inning, which would prove enough to take the win in game 1. Kiersten Garman had a strong outing in the circle for the Royals in Thursday's opening game. Coming in from the bullpen, Garman threw 4 scoreless Innings where she allowed only 1 hit while striking out 7 to bring the Junior's season total of strikeouts to 51.
The Royals bats came alive in the final game of the regular season driving in 8 runs and earning a run rule win in 5 Innings.
Lauren Fernald recorded the Royals first RBI of the game in the 3rd Inning when she reached on an error to score
Diana Martin.
Meagan Bruns followed that up with an RBI single of her own that scored
April Dominguez before
Jillian Hudson drove in the third run of the Inning on an RBI single to right field to bring home
Lauren Fernald. Warner kept their foot on the gas in the 4th as
Grace Derstine and Dominguez recorded an RBI each that drove in Wagoner and Derstine, respectively, to extend the Royals lead to 5-0 after 4 Innings. The Royals would end up earning a run rule walk-off win in the 5th after scoring 3 more runs in the bottom of the 5th. Abby Fairclosth scored the 6th run of the game for Warner when she took advantage of a wild pitch.
Autumn Calcagno drove in Alex Bowe-Wooten on an RBI single, before Martin ended the game on an RBI single to left field that saw Derstine score the game ending run. Garman had another impressive outing and earned her 6th win of the season after pitching all 5 Innings without allowing a run while allowing only 4 hits and striking out 5 to help the Royals end their regular season with a win.
Warner will await the results from this weekend in hopes to extend their season with a post-season birth with the opportunity to play in the SUN Conference tournament from April 30th through May 2nd.
Warner Game 1 Stat Leaders -
Hits: Diana Martin &
Lauren Fernald (2)
RBIs: Alisha Wagoner (1)
Ks: Kiersten Garman (7)
Warner Game 2 Stat Leaders -
Hits: Diana Martin (3)
RBIs: 7 Different Royals recorded an RBI in Thursday's win
Ks: Kiersten Garman (5)
#GodBlessGoRoyals | #TogetherAsOne
