CENTRAL, S.C. - The Converse Softball team earned a Conference Carolinas split against Southern Wesleyan on Saturday afternoon. Converse picked up the 4-3 win in extra innings in the first game but dropped the nightcap 4-3.
The Valkyries picked up their second league win of the season doubling their total from the inaugural season.
THE BASICS
FINAL | Game One: Converse 4, Southern Wesleyan 3 (8 innings), Game Two: Converse 3, Southern Wesleyan 4
LOCATION | Central, S.C. (Varsity Field)
RECORDS | Converse 4-18 (2-8), Southern Wesleyan 6-22 (2-6)
INSIDE THE BOXSCORES
Tristan Harvey led the way at the plate going 4-8. Elizabeth Aguilar went 4-7 with a double and 3 RBI.
Tristan Harvey went 2-4 with a double and RBI in the first contest. Brett Harvey and Marissa Steadman added doubles in the contest. T. Harvey, B. Harvey and Savanna Fain recorded an RBI in the first game.
Elizabeth Aguilar doubled in the night cap and added two RBI while going 3-4 at the plate. Tristan Harvey went 2-4 from the plate. Shelby Bullock added a RBI in the nightcap.
Kaybriana Spalding picked up her third win of the season pitching the complete game allowing three runs off eight hits and tallied four strikeouts.
Marissa Steadman took the loss in the nightcap allowing four runs (two earned) on 11 hits.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game One: Converse 4, Southern Wesleyan 3 (8 innings)
Converse jumped on the board quickly in the top of the first. Marissa Steadman and Tristan Harvey hit back-to-back doubles to break the scoreless tie. Harvey moved to third on a passed ball but was stranded on the paths.
Southern Wesleyan answered in the bottom of the first with a solo shot to tie things at one.
In the top of the third, Marissa Steadman and Elizabeth Aguilar reached via the walk but were stranded.
The Warriors had a chance to take the lead in the bottom of the sixth but were turned away. After a single and a walk, SWU sacrificed the runners into scoring position, Kaybriana Spalding pitched out of the jam with a fly ball.
Converse took the lead for the moment in the top of the seventh scoring two runs. Tristan Harvey and Elizabeth Aguilar singled with one out to start the rally. Savanna Fain singled to right field to score Harvey for the go-ahead run. Brett Harvey doubled to right field bringing home Aguilar for the 3-1 advantage.
SWU would tie things up in the bottom of the inning to send the contest into extra innings, tied at three.
Shelby Bullock was placed on second base due to international tie-breaker rules. A sacrifice bunt by Kelsie Land sent Bullock to third. Bullock would come around to score on the ensuing at-bat on the passed ball.
Southern Wesleyan moved their runner to third on the sacrifice in the bottom of the inning but Kaybriana Spalding shut the door with a strikeout and a pop up to end the contest.
Game Two: Converse 3, Southern Wesleyan 4
SWU took the early lead in the bottom of the first with a two out double scored the opening run of the nightcap.
Converse chipped away at the lead in the top of the fourth. Elizabeth Aguilar singled and moved to second on the sacrifice bunt. Shelby Bullock posted a base hit to left field bringing Aguilar in for the tying run. A hit-by-pitch and a single loaded the bases for the Valkyries but a punchout ended the rally.
The Warriors would regain the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning on three straight hits. SWU led 3-1 after four innings.
The Valkyries continued to chip away at the deficit in the top of the fifth inning. Marissa Steadman started the rally by reaching on a hit-by-pitch. Tristan Harvey beat out a bunt to put runners on first and second. Elizabeth Aguilar hit an RBI single scoring Steadman to cut the deficit to 3-2.
SWU looked to add insurance to their lead in the bottom of the fifth after a lead-off double. Marissa Steadman was able to get three straight outs to end the threat.
Converse knotted things once again in the top of the seventh. Tristan Harvey singled to left field to start the inning. Harvey would score from first on Elizabeth Aguilar's double in the left center gap for the 3-3 tie.
With one out and the bases loaded, a pop-up behind the first base bag in foul territory allowed the runner at third to tag and score for the walk-off sacrifice hit.
UP NEXT
Converse travels to North Greenville on Wednesday, March 29 for a Conference Carolinas doubleheader. First pitch is at 1pm.