Warner Southern Wins Region Title

SAVANNAH, Ga. | Warner Southern College scored three times each in the first and fifth innings as the 16th-ranked Royals defeated Webber International University, 7-2, to capture the NAIA Region XIV Softball Tournament title Friday afternoon at the Paulson Softball Complex.

The Royals (37-9) earn the region's automatic berth to the NAIA National Championship which will be held May 16-21 in Decatur, Ala.

Webber International (25-20), the tournament's No. 3 seed, had advanced to the championship game by eliminating three-time region champion Savannah College of Art and Design, 2-1.

NAIA Region and Florida Sun Conference Player of the Year Jessica Sanchez jump- started the first inning for Warner Southern with her two-run homer just inside the left-field foul pole off WIU starter Cassie Pearson.

Brooke Gary's two-run homer to left field - her first of the season - highlighted the fifth inning for the Royals.

Jennifer Giles (4-0) earned the complete-game win as she scattered nine hits for Warner Southern.