WINGATE, N.C. – The Converse (6-32) softball team stepped out of conference on Sunday afternoon to face the Wingate Bulldogs in a series that was rescheduled from last month. Wingate used big mid-innings in both games to sweep the Valkyries by the finals of 7-1 and 6-1.
GAME ONE: CONVERSE 1, WINGATE 7
The Valkyries struck first in game one with a single run in the top of the first inning. Following a leadoff out, Hailey Spitler and Gabrielle Cuevas earned back-to-back walks to put two runners on. Allison Plafcan then deliverd an RBI single up the middle to give Converse the 1-0 lead.
However, Wingate came right back with two runs in the bottom of the first followed by one run each in the second and third to push ahead 4-1. Converse's bats went cold and the Bulldogs added three runs in the bottom of the sixth to expand the lead to 7-1, eventually taking game one by that same score.
GAME TWO: CONVERSE 1, WINGATE 6
Just as it did in the opening game, Converse jumped our early with a run in the top of the first. Spitler reached on an error by the Bulldogs' defense before coming around to score on another defensive miscue by Wingate. However, that would be the only run Converse could put up in the inning.
Wingate posted a run of its own in the bottom of the first and took the lead with a run in the home half of the third. After Converse went scoreless in the top of the fourth, Wingate blew the game open with four runs in the bottom half of the inning.
The Valkyries managed one baserunner over the final three innings and Wingate took game two of the twin-billing by the final of 6-1.
The Valkyries will be back in action on Tuesday, April 2, traveling to Tigerville, S.C. to take on the Crusaders of North Greenville University. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 2 p.m.