Spartanburg, SC – The Converse College Softball team returned home on Sunday for a match-up with UNC-Pembroke. The Valkyries were looking to get back into the win column after dropping two at Coker on Friday. The Braves came into the doubleheader owning a winning record, after splitting with Limestone last week. After days of rain, the sun made an appearance and the temperature was perfect for game day. Converse hoped to have the same luck on the field.
In Game One,
Jordan Moore took the mound for the Valkyries, but UNC-Pembroke jumped on the board early in the first inning, to take a three-run lead. After a scoreless second inning, the Braves added another two runs and Converse was suddenly down, 5-0.
Daija Irizarry would come in to relieve Moore, but UNC-Pembroke scored again in the fifth, to take a 6-0 lead. The Valkyries were finally able to get on the board when
Grace McKinney (2-3, 1 RBI) drove in
Brooklyn McElrath (2-3, 1 Run) in the sixth inning. However, that was the only score of game one for Converse and they would fall to the Braves, by a score of 6-1.
Game Two saw UNC-Pembroke jump out again to an early lead over the Valkyries. However, pitcher
Reagan Owens, held the Braves at bay most of the game, not allowing them to produce any big innings. Going into the sixth inning, UNC-Pembroke held a 2-0 lead, and Owens was able to keep it that way headed into the seventh. Unfortunately, the Braves were able to add a third run in the top of the last inning and coming to bat, Converse had to start a rally. While they were able to produce base runners in the bottom of the seventh, their rally fell short and the Valkyries would drop game two, 3-0. In the game,
Maria Luce and
Allison Plafcan each went 2-3 from the plate, to account for 4 of Converse's 5 hits.
The Valkyries will return to action on Tuesday afternoon, when they travel to Greenwood, SC to face Lander University. The Bearcats have won the last 4 of 5 games and are 6-4 on the season. Stay tuned to
www.govalkyries.com and all Converse Athletics social media for updates on live streams and statistics.