FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Converse College softball team fell short of Fayetteville St. during a doubleheader on Sunday afternoon at Lamon Street Park. FSU was able to rally in both games to win 5-3 each time.

GAME INFORMATION

Scores: Converse (3, 3), Fayetteville St. (5, 5)

Records: Converse (0-8), Fayetteville St. (3-1)

Location: Lamon Street Park, Fayetteville, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

GAME ONE: Converse 3, Fayetteville St. 5

The Broncs were able to scratch a run in the first inning following a double by Rylie Williams that scored M'Smyra Seward. However, Converse evened the score at 1-1 in the top of the second, plating its first run of the game. 

Morgan Berndt got things started with a one out single to center field before advancing to third following a groundout and stolen base. That set up Moriah Gomez, who collected a base hit to center, allowing Berndt to touch the plate and knot the score. 

The bats continued to roll for the Valkyries in the top of the fourth, seeing two runs cross the dish, giving Converse a 3-1 lead. Courtney Walls reached on a hit up the middle before stealing second. A groundout placed her 60 feet way. Abbigale Outlaw was able to reach second on a defensive miscue by the Broncos, which also allowed Walls to score. From that point, Outlaw wreaked havoc on the base pads, stealing third and scoring on a throwing error by the catcher. 

Converse held the 3-1 lead into the sixth inning as Reagan Owens was stellar on the mound for the Purple and Gold. However, Fayetteville St. posted a three-run frame in the bottom of the sixth, taking a 5-3 advantage as the Valkyries were down to their last at-bat. Brooklyn McElrath started the frame with a single to left center but the next three batters were retired in order, giving FSU the 5-3 win.

GAME TWO: Converse 3, Fayetteville St. 5

After the Valkyries went scoreless the first two innings, Fayetteville St. put up three runs in the bottom of the second to take the early lead. However, the Valkyries came right back with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth, trimming the deficit to 3-2. 

Back-to-back hits by Allison Plafcan and Grace McKinney put runners on the corners with no outs. Ryan Finazzo lifted a ball to right field, deep enough to score Plafcan from third. Katelin Bradshaw laid down a beautiful bunt single, placing runners on first and second. A groundout to the pitcher left the Vals down to their last out, but another blunder by the Broncs defense allowed Berndt to reach first and McKinney to score. 

The fifth inning was quiet for both teams, but Converse came back in the top of the sixth with the game-tying run. McKinney doubled to left center to leadoff and advanced to third on a 1-3 putout. Bradshaw hit one back to the pitcher, but an errant throw allowed McKinney to touch the plate, knotting the game at 3-3 late in the contest. 

Unfortunately, Fayetteville State's Rylie Williams came up clutch with a two-out, two-RBI double to left field in the bottom of the sixth, staking the home team to a 5-3 advantage. McElrath, in the Valkyries final at-bat, doubled with two outs to keep the game alive, but a groundout ended the threat and game, giving the Broncs a sweep.  

UP NEXT

Converse will make the quick turnaround, traveling to Laurinburg, N.C. to take on the Knights of St. Andrews University tomorrow afternoon. Game one of the twin billing is scheduled to start at 1 p.m.