SPARTANBURG, S.C.  – Combining for 24 hits  and 27 runs across two games, the Converse University softball team (4-8) defeated the St. Andrews Knights (1-4) in both games of the teams' doubleheader Wednesday afternoon at Tyger River Stadium. The Valkyries posted 18 runs in a five-inning shutout from junior Riley Lingerfelt. Converse kept the good times rolling as they won 9-2 in game two. Sophomore Victoria Dichio recorded her first win of the season in the circle for seven innings of work.

In game one, four Valkyries each posted two hits with senior Madeline Modica leading the team in RBIs with three. Sophomore Ayellad Howard led the team in hits in the second game with three. Junior Sydney Watson and freshman Madison Davis each led the team in RBIs in game two with three.

Eighteen runs scored in game one ties the Converse softball record for single-game scoring. Lingerfelt posted 11 strikeouts against the Knights, also a school record.

Game One: Converse 18, St. Andrews 0 (5 Innings)

The runs kept coming and they didn't stop coming for the Valkyries in the first inning as the Valkyries posted two before the Knights were able to record an out and added five more before the second out. A two-out double from senior Kayla Rocha scored the final run of the inning for the Valkyries. Heading into the top of the second, Converse led 8-0 after picking up six hits in the opening frame.

Both teams remained quiet until the bottom of the fourth saw the Valkyries once again post enough runs in a single inning to enact the run rule.

Converse scored 10 runs in the bottom of the fourth, with all 10 coming before the St. Andrews recorded a single out. The Knights made two pitching changes before collecting that coveted first out.

After giving up a leadoff double that advanced to third on the first out of the top of the fifth inning, Lingerfelt struck out the final two batters of the game, keeping the shutout intact and securing the 18-0 victory for Converse.

Game Two: Converse 9, St. Andrews 2

Game two started slower for the Valkyries, but after the offensive outburst in game one, slower still meant putting up two hits and a run in the bottom of the first inning. After a leadoff single and a stolen base from Howard, Rocha singled through the left side, giving the Valkyries the early lead.

It wasn't until the third inning until the Valkyries scored again. With two runners on to start the inning, a single and a two-RBI triple gave Converse three more runs. Another Knights error put two runners on base for Watson who homered to center field, picking up three RBIs and putting Converse one run away from enacting the run rule for the second time.

A sacrifice fly from Davis in the bottom of the fourth gave the Valkyries the needed eighth run, but after the Knights picked up two in the top of the fifth, the game continued.

A two-out double from sophomore Jaydin Gentile gave the Valkyries their final run of the afternoon, bringing the game to its final score of 9-2.

On deck for the Valkyries:

Converse returns to the diamond on Friday, Feb. 16 as they take on Shaw and Lincoln (Pa.) at the Tyger River Complex as part of the SIAC/CIAA Challenge. First pitch against Shaw is scheduled for 5 P.M.

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