BREVARD, N.C. – The Converse College softball team brought home a split following a doubleheader versus Brevard College on Thursday afternoon. An offensive outburst propelled the Valkyries to a 9-1 win in game one, but Brevard earned the split with a game two win of 8-1.

GAME INFORMATION

Scores: Converse (9, 1), Brevard (1, 8)

Records: Converse (3-13), Brevard (2-2)

Location: Ives-Lemel Family Field, Brevard, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

GAME ONE: Converse 9, Brevard 1 (6 INNINGS)

Brevard took the early lead with a single run in the top of the first. However, the Valkyries came back with a score of its own in the bottom half of the opening inning, knotting the contest at 1-1. Allison Plafcan singled up the middle with one out before a walk and base hit through the right side loaded the bases. A pitch struck Katelin Bradshaw, allowing Plafcan to cross the dish. 

After holding the Tornado scoreless in the second, Converse took its first lead of the game with two runs in the bottom portion of the second. Abbigale Outlaw started things with a single to the pitcher and advanced to second on a throwing error by the BC catcher. Following a strikeout, Brooklyn McElrath laced a single to left field, placing runners on the corners with one out. 

That set up Plafcan's double down the left field line, bringing both runners home and staking the Valkyries to a 3-1 advantage. 

Converse blew the game wide open in the bottom of the fifth, tallying a season-high five runs in the frame. Plafcan once again led things off, reaching first safely on a miscue by the Brevard defense. Grace McKinney used a keen eye to draw a walk before back-to-back singles by Ryan Finazzo and Bradshaw allowed Plafcan and McKinney to touch the plate. 

Following the first out of the frame, Sarah Ann Arthur laid down a beautiful bunt single that allowed another run to come home. Outlaw added a fielder's choice RBI while Moriah Gomez capped the scoring frenzy with a RBI groundout. 

Needing one run in the bottom of the sixth to complete the run-rule, Converse loaded the bases with no outs before collecting a RBI groundout from Courtney Walls, earning the 9-1 win. 

Reagan Owens picked up the win for the Valkyries after tossing 5.0 innings of one-run ball, while scattering six hits. She tallied a career-high four strikeouts during the outing. 

GAME TWO: Converse 1, Brevard 8

Just as game one started, Brevard scored first after tacking on one run in the top of the second. Converse struggled to get the bats going early in the second game, but a leadoff double by McElrath in the bottom of the third came around to score following a throwing error by the Tornado shortstop, tying the contest at 1-1. 

However, Brevard captured the lead back in its next at-bat, tallying a RBI single by Kat Carroll. Converse continued to struggle at the dish, going hitless over its next two innings. The Tornado took full advantage of the missed opportunities, extending their lead to 8-1 after a crucial six-run frame in the sixth. 

Converse was able to put a runner on in the bottom of the seventh, but failed to score, leading Brevard to the win in game two. 

UP NEXT

The Valkyries will return to the diamond on Saturday, February 29, traveling to Montreat, N.C. to take on the Cavaliers of Montreat College. Game one action is slated for 1 p.m.