DUNCAN, S.C. – The Converse College softball team dropped a pair of games to Tusculum College on Saturday afternoon to open the 2020 campaign.

GAME INFORMATION

Scores: Tusculum (14,0), Converse (5,0)

Records: Tusculum (2-0), Converse (0-2)

Location: Tyger River Park, Duncan, S.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

GAME ONE: Tusculum 14, Converse 5

Tusculum wasted no time putting runs on the board, posting nine in the top of the first. Taylor Johnson and Alexis Grampp both went deep for the Pioneers, while Brittney Franse added three RBIs on a bases-clearing double. 

Single runs in the second and fourth, coupled with a pair in the third, allowed Tusculum to extend the lead to 13-0. Converse was finally able to break through in the bottom of the fourth inning. Brooklyn McElrath led the frame off with a walk before advancing to third on a single down the right field line by Grace McKinney. Ryan Finazzo brought her home with an infield single. Sarah-Anne Arthur tallied an additional run for the Valkyries with a sacrifice fly to right field. 

After Tusculum scored one in the top of the fifth, Converse put together its best inning of offense in the bottom half, tacking on three runs on three hits to pull within 14-5. However, that would be the last of the scoring in game one as the Pioneers were able to secure the win. Finazzo added a two-RBI single in the three-run outburst.

GAME TWO: Tusculum 9, Converse 0

The Pioneers used the long ball once again, taking an early lead in the second game of the twin-billing. Chloe Freischmidt tagged a two-run homer in the top of the second, giving TC the 2-0 advantage. 

After scoreless third innings by both teams, Tusculum tacked on a single run in the fourth. An errant throw to first with two outs allowed the Pioneers to keep the inning alive and score off a bases loaded walk. That lead ballooned to 9-0 in the fifth as Tusculum plated 9 runs. 

Converse went down in order during the bottom of the fifth, dropping the second game by the final of 9-0. 

UP NEXT

Converse will make the quick turnaround, playing host to the Patriots of Francis Marion University tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.