SPARTANBURG, S.C. – By defeating the Belmont Abbey Crusaders (17-14, 9-9 Conference Carolinas) 6-5 in game one of their Saturday doubleheader, the Converse University softball team (16-32, 5-13 Conference Carolinas) set a new record for single-season wins, surpassing the record set last season. The Crusaders won game two 15-1.
Junior Riley Lingerfelt earned a complete-game victory in game one. She allowed six runs, four earned, and struck out 10 batters. She walked just two. Freshman Kiarra Thomas led the team with two RBIs in game one. Seniors Maggie Griffis and Emily Ingle each recorded an RBI as well. Fellow senior Madeline Modica had the team's only RBI in game two.
Game One: Converse 6, Belmont Abbey 5
After Belmont Abbey struck for one run in the top of the first, sophomore
Chesney Miles, who reached via a bunt single, scored on a passed ball to tie the game 1-1. Ingle secured her RBI following a walk to fellow senior
Kayla Rocha. The team's final run of the three-run first inning came on a fielding error by the Crusaders' shortstop.
A two-RBI double with two outs cut the lead to one run in the top of the second. Belmont Abbey tied the game 4-4 with a solo home run in the fourth. Both the double and the home run were hit by Belmont Abbey senior Hallie Mele.
After freshman Madison Davis reached base on a one-out walk, Thomas came into the game and notched her pinch-hit home run, giving Converse a two-run lead, 6-4, heading into the final inning.
Even a lead-off home run in the top of the seventh wasn't enough for Belmont Abbey as Lingerfelt sat the next three batters down in order, winning the game for Converse 6-5.
Game Two: Belmont Abbey 15, Converse 1 (5 Innings)
After sophomore Ayellad Howard doubled into center field to lead off the bottom of the first, Modica brought her around to score with a two-out single up the middle.
Belmont Abbey notched 15 runs over the next four innings to take the game 15-1. The Valkyries secured one hit each in the third, fourth and fifth innings.
On deck for the Valkyries:
The Valkyries return home to Tyger River Stadium on Tuesday, April 16 as they host the King University Tornado beginning at 2 P.M. Following that game, the Valkyries will make up their March 22 doubleheader at Belmont Abbey beginning at noon in Belmont, North Carolina. Converse rounds out the regular season in the Tar Heel state with a return trip to Lees-McRae on Saturday, April 20. First pitch with the Bobcats is scheduled for 1 P.M.
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