DUNCAN, S.C. – Converse College (2-32) softball lost a pair of games to non-conference opponent Lander on Thursday afternoon at Tyger River Park. The Bearcats controlled both games en route to the doubleheader sweep by final scores of 18-0 and 15-5.

GAME ONE: CONVERSE 0, LANDER 18 (5 INNINGS)

Lander built a comfortable lead, scoring 12 runs over the first three innings. The scoring parade started with three runs in the first, followed by five in the second and four in the third. Brianna Surrento was the biggest factor, tallying four of her six RBIs in the game's first half.

Converse had a chance to chance to cut into the lead in the bottom of the fourth after loading the bases. Mariah Blackmon started the frame with a single and Meredith Quarles followed that with a hit of her own to left field. After two strikeouts Sydney Moss drew a walk to put a Valkyrie on every base. However, the next batter was retired to end the threat.

That missed opportunity proved costly as the Bearcats added six more runs in the top of the fifth to extend the lead to 18-0. Converse was retired in order in the bottom of the fifth and fell by the same score. Kayla Gilfillan also added a hit for the Vals.

GAME TWO: CONVERSE 5, LANDER 15 (5 INNINGS)

Game two started just as game one with the Bearcats scoring big in the early innings. Five runs in the opening frame led to three more in the second to give LU an 8-0 lead after an inning and a half.

However, the Valkyries finally broke through in the bottom of the second with three runs, trimming the deficit to 8-3. Blackmon led the inning off with a walk and Quarles reached on a defensive miscue by the Bearcats, putting runners on first and second with no outs. Taylor Stewart singled to left following a strikeout to load the bases. After a strikeout Jena Massing singled to drive in two runs before Makenzie Wenz ripped a base hit up the middle to score the third run of the frame.

Lander extended the lead to 9-3 with a single run in the third, but Converse came back with two in the bottom of the fourth to pull within 9-5. Stewart and Gilfillan led things off with back-to-back hits and Massing held serve with a base knock of her own, allowing Stewart to touch the plate. Wenz followed that up with a sacrifice fly to center to score Gilfillan.

Unfortunately, Lander blew the game back open with six runs on five hits in the top of the fifth and the Bearcats' pitching shut down the Purple and Gold in the bottom half of the frame to collect game two by the final of 15-5.

The Valkyries will return to Conference Carolinas action on Saturday, March 24 as they play host to Southern Wesleyan University. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 1 p.m.