Valkyries Battle But Fall to Conference Foe Southern Wesleyan

Valkyries Battle But Fall to Conference Foe Southern Wesleyan

DUNCAN, S.C. – The Converse (2-34, 0-6 CC) softball team fought hard and showed much resiliency, but could not overcome early deficits, falling to the visiting Southern Wesleyan (7-24, 2-6 CC) Warriors on Saturday afternoon at Tyger River Park. SWU jumped out early in game one and held on late to take the first contest 3-2 before blanking the Vals 2-0 in the nightcap.

GAME ONE: CONVERSE 2, SWU 3

The Valkyries threatened in the bottom of the second, putting runners on first and second with one out. Jena Massing started the rally with a single to left before moving to second on a stolen base. Anna Bennett drew a walk, but the next two batters were retired in order to end the scoring opportunity and leave the game scoreless.

That missed chance proved costly as Southern Wesleyan posted the first run of the game in the top of the third following a base hit by Becca White. A single run in the fourth inning by SWU expanded that lead to 2-0.

Converse, once again, looked poised to break through on the scoreboard after placing two runners on with one out. However, a strikeout and groundout turned the Valkyries away and Southern Wesleyan held on to the 2-0 lead after 4.0 innings of play.

An unearned run in the top of the seventh put the Warriors up 3-0. Converse was finally able to push across runs in the bottom of the seventh. Ashton Coker started the frame with a single to right field. A fielder's choice allowed McKayla Davis to reach before Makenzie Wenz blasted a single up the middle to set up runners on first and second with one down.

Allison Plafcan roped a double to left center, allowing Kelsie Land and Wenz to score and put the tying run in scoring position with two outs. Unfortunately, the next batter grounded out to the pitcher and SWU held on for the 3-2, game one win.

GAME TWO: CONVERSE 0, SWU 2

Just as they did in game one, the Valkyries were determined to take an early lead in the bottom of the second, but stranded runners on second and third to keep the game scoreless.

Southern Wesleyan posted two runs in the top of the fourth to take the lead, the big hit coming off the bat of Megan New, who ripped a double to deep left center, allowing two Warriors to come around and touch the plate.

Converse brought the tying run to the plate in each of the last four innings, including putting two runners on in the fourth and fifth frames, but could not come through with a clutch hit to advance any of the runners home. Plafcan scorched a triple to right field in the bottom of the seventh, bringing the tying run to the plate, but the next batter was retired and the Valkyries dropped game two, 2-0.

Converse will make the quick turnaround as it plays host to Lees-McRae tomorrow afternoon at Tyger River Park. First game is slated to start at 3 p.m.