BREVARD, N.C. – The Converse softball team picked up their first win of the 2022 season in game one against Brevard College by a score of 15-1. The Tornados would go on to win game two 9-1.
Game 1 Final: Converse 15-1 Brevard
Game 2 Final: Brevard 9-1 Converse
Records: Converse (1-23), Brevard (4-5)
Game 1 Notes:
- Top 1 - The Valkyries scored eight runs in the first inning of the game to give them the momentum they needed to earn their first win of the season. Ryan Finazzo would get the inning started by reaching first base on an error by Brevard's right fielder. Grace McKinney got hit by a pitch, advancing her to first and Finazzo to second. Up next, Serrah Ballard doubled to right field sending both Finazzo and McKinney home. Maggie Griffis would follow with her first home run of the season, making it a 4-0 game. Aaliyah Newman would get by a pitch during her at-bat. Following, Faith Hauser singled to center field which allowed for Newman to make it to third. With the third Valkyrie batter getting hit by a pitch, Kayla Rocha would get on first which advanced Hauser to second. The pitching change for Brevard would be futile as Madeline Modica's hit brought Newman home. Now at the top of the line-up again, Brooklyn McElrath singled to center field, allowing both Rocha and Hauser to score for the Valkyries. These two runs would make it a 7-0 game. McElrath advanced to second on a wild pitch, and Finazzo would get on first after being the fourth Converse player to be hit by a pitch. McKinney followed with a single to center field which allowed Finazzo and McKinney to advance one base each. Ballard would end the Valkyries high-scoring inning by singling to right field which sent McElrath in to score the eighth run for the Valkyries.
- Bottom 1 – The Tornados would be unsuccessful in making a significant dent in the lead, only being able to score one run during the inning.
- Top 2 – Hauser would start the inning off by singling to right field. Rocha followed, getting hit by a pitch for the second time and advancing Hauser to second. Modica grounded out to first base, but it allowed for Hauser and Rocha to each advance a base. McElrath's third at-bat would send Hauser and Rocha home after she singled to right field, giving the Valkyries a 10-1 lead.
- Top 3 – During the Valkyries second highest scoring inning of the game, Ballard hit her first home run of the season which gave Converse two more runs, sending McKinney home as well. Following the home run, Newman singled to third base and then stole second while Rocha got hit by a pitch for the third time today. Following, Modica doubled to center field, allowing for Newman and Rocha to run home and advancing Converse's lead to 14-1.
- Top 5 – To finish out game one, Emily Ingle hit her first home run of the year and the Valkyries third home run of the game. Converse would pick up their first win of the 2022 season by a score of 15-1.
Game 2 Notes:
- Bottom 2 – After a scoreless first inning, Brevard would put up four runs.
- Top 5 – Newman would score the Valkyries solo run of game two after reaching first on a fielder's choice, stealing second, advancing to third on Hauser's single to left field, and finally making it home as Rocha got thrown out at first from a sacrifice bunt.
- Bottom 5/6 – The Tornados would score three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning and two more runs in the bottom of the sixth to split the series by a score of 9-1.
Converse Series Leaders:
Serrah Ballard: 7 AB, 2 R, 3 H, 5 RBI, 1 HR, 4 IP, 1 K
Emily Ingle: 1 AB, 1 H, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1HR
Maggie Griffis (1-3): 4 AB, 1 R, 1 H, 2 RBI, 1 HR, 6.1 IP, 2 K
Brooklyn McElrath: 7 AB, 1 R, 2 H, 4 RBI
Aaliyah Newman: 4 AB, 3 R, 1 H
Next Up:
The Valkyries will begin Conference Carolinas play on Friday, March 18 as they welcome Mount Olive to Tyger River for games at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
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