DUNCAN, S.C.- The Converse Softball team was unable to hold off the USC Aiken rally in the first game, 3-2 (8), before falling in the nightcap 7-3 at Tyger River Park on Tuesday afternoon.
THE BASICS
FINAL | Game One: Converse 2, USC Aiken 3 (8 innings) | Game Two: Converse 3, USC Aiken 7
LOCATION | Duncan, S.C. (Tyger River Stadium)
RECORDS | Converse 0-8, USC Aiken 5-1-1
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
Elizabeth Aguilar led the charge picking up two hits in both contests to go 4-7 from the plate and tallying 2 RBI.
Ashton Coker went 3-6 with 2 RBI with two hits in the nightcap. Mariah Blackmon picked up two hits and a RBI in the nightcap.
Kaybriana Spalding pitched 8.0 innings allowing six hits and two runs (one earned).
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game One:
Converse jumped on the board in the bottom of the first on three hits and a walk. Shelby Bullock started the inning off with a walk. Elizabeth Aguilar brought Bullock around to score on a triple to the right center gap.
Ashton Coker would make the contest 2-0 after a base knock to center that brought home Augilar. Brett Harvey picked up a hit to left but was unable to push across any more runs in the inning.
Kaybriana Spalding would scatter hits throughout the innings in the circle for the Valkyries. USC Aiken would crack the scoreboard in the top of the fourth scoring a run to cut into the deficit 2-1.
Spalding continued to pitch well until the sixth allowing the tying run to cross the plate.
Converse was unable to scratch across the winning run in regulation as the Valkyries entered extras for the second straight game.
Aiken would push across a run in extra innings off a Converse miscue to lead 3-2.
Shelby Bullock reached in extra innings and took second on the fielder's choice pushing Tristan Harvey to third with one out. Elizabeth Aguilar drew a walk to load the bases.
Ashton Coker would get robbed on a line drive that was snagged at second. The Valkyries would ground out to end the contest.
Game Two:
Marissa Steadman started off the contest with a single to left field. Steadman would swipe second and advance to third on a passed ball but would be stranded.
USC Aiken would take an early 2-0 lead in the top of the second on three hits and a Converse miscue.
Mariah Blackmon hit a single to left field to start the bottom of the second inning. Blackmon would be pushed to second on a Hannah Boring walk but nothing would come in the inning.
USC Aiken extended their lead to 7-0 in the top of the third inning on a two-run homer and three more runs in the fifth.
Converse had a chance to score a run in the bottom of the fifth. Shelby Bullock and Ashton Coker picked up hits but were left on the bases.
The Valkyries were able to break the scoreless draught in the bottom of the seventh picking up three runs. Tristan Harvey started the rally with a single through the left side. Marissa Steadman followed up with a single up the middle. Elizabeth Augilar would drive across the first run with a single to center.
Ashton Coker followed suit with a single down the right field line to score the second run. Mariah Blackmon would single to right to drive in the final run for the Valkyries in the nightcap.
UP NEXT
Converse will participate in the Mid-South Classic over the weekend playing Augusta on Saturday, February 25 at 10am and UNC Pembroke at 4pm at Tyger River Park in the Red Pods.