DUNCAN, S.C. – The Converse College (6-42, 1-17 CC) softball team was dealt a pair of losses at the hands of King University (27-18, 13-5 CC) on Wednesday evening at Tyger River Park and Championship Stadium. King used big innings late to take game one by the final of 13-0 before completing the sweep with a narrow 3-1 score in the nightcap.
GAME ONE: CONVERSE 0, KING 13 (6 Innings)
The first three innings of game one was a defensive battle as neither team could push across the go-ahead run. King loaded the bases in the top of the second, but starting pitcher Marissa Martin got a pop out to second, ending the threat. Converse had a chance in the bottom of the third after putting runners on first and second with two outs, but a strikeout left the game scoreless.
King broke through with a four-spot in the top of the fourth. Back-to-back doubles to start the inning put the Tornado on the board. Two more hits and a pair of walks allowed KU to take the 4-0 advantage.
Converse could not muster much offense and King broke the game wide open with a 9-run sixth inning, the big blow coming off a three-run homerun by Brokering to center field.
GAME TWO: CONVERSE 1, KING 3
King wasted no time posting runs in game two, touching the plate three times in the top of the first inning. However, Converse came back with some energy of its own in the bottom of the frame. Hailey Spitler and Martin led the frame off with back-to-back hits to put runners on first and second with no outs. Unfortunately, that would be as close to home as they would get with King collecting three outs on the next three hitters.
Converse was able to cut into the Tornado lead in the home-half of the fourth. Following an out, Destiny Heard reached on a fielding error by second base. Pinch runner Courtney Walls was able to come around and score on an infield single by Brooklyn McElrath.
However, that would be all the runs scored on either side as King took game two by the final of 3-1, taking home the Conference Carolinas doubleheader sweep.
The Valkyries will be back in action tomorrow afternoon, traveling to Banner Elk, N.C. to take on the Bobcats of Lees-McRae. Game one of the series is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.