DUNCAN, S.C. – Returning home for the first time in three weeks, the Converse College softball team was dealt a pair of losses to Newberry on Sunday afternoon at Tyger River Park. The Wolves took game one by the final of 11-0 before sweeping the doubleheader with a game two win of 13-7.

GAME INFORMATION

Scores: Newberry (11,13), Converse (0,7)

Records: Newberry (14-2), Converse (2-12)

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

HOW IT HAPPENED

GAME ONE: Newberry 11, Converse 0 (5 INNINGS)

Newberry wasted no time scoring runs, putting up a six-spot in the top of the first inning. The Wolves were able to collect six hits during the at-bat while also taking advantage of a defensive miscue by the Valkyries. 

After holding the Vals scoreless over the first two innings, Newberry extended its lead with five more runs in the visiting-half of the third frame, taking an 11-0 lead after two and a half. The Valkyries defense was stellar over the next two innings, but the offense could not get going as Newberry took the first game, 11-0. 

GAME TWO: Newberry 13, Converse 7

The Wolves struck early in game two, posting four runs on four hits, the big blow coming off the bat of Victoria Eaton, who doubled home two runs for Newberry. However, Brooklyn McElrath homered to left center to lead off the bottom of the first, trimming the Wolves lead to 4-1. 

Both sides went scoreless in the second inning, but Newberry added to its lead with a single run in the top of the third following a missed groundball in the outfield by the Valkyries. Converse was able to get that run back in the home half of the third. Moriah Gomez laced a double down the left field with one out before coming home on McElrath's base hit to right field. 

However, Newberry broke the game open with five runs in the top of the fourth, staking itself to a 10-2 lead and putting pressure on the Valkyries offense. Converse was able to put runners on first and second with two outs, but were unable to push across a run, sending the game to the fifth down 10-2. 

Needing one run in the fifth to extend the game, Converse had its best offensive frame of the contest, scoring four times during the at-bat. After putting the first two runners on, McElrath collected her third hit and RBI with a single up the middle. A throwing error by the Wolves third baseman allowed two more runs to cross the plate before Grace McKinney recorded a RBI groundout, closing the gap to 10-6. 

Unfortunately, Newberry posted three runs in the top of the sixth, extending back out to a 13-6 advantage. Converse came back with a run of its own in the bottom half of the frame, capitalizing on two errors by the Wolves defense. 

However, that would be the last run scored by either team and Newberry completed the sweep with a game two win of 13-7. 

UP NEXT

Converse will be back in action on Tuesday, February 25, playing host to the Tornado of Brevard College in non-conference action. Game one will begin at 1 p.m.