SPARTANBURG, S.C.  – The Converse University softball team (9-17, 2-0 Conference Carolinas) used a walkoff home run from sophomore Kiarra Thomas and a nine-run first inning in game two to secure a doubleheader sweep over the Belmont Abbey Crusaders (13-9, 0-2 Conference Carolinas) Wednesday afternoon at Tyger River Stadium.

With the sweep, the Valkyries extend their win streak to four games, tied for the longest in program history. They accomplished the same feat once in each of the last two seasons. Wednesday also marks the first time the Valkyries have won both games of a doubleheader against Belmont Abbey.

Senior Riley Lingerfelt threw seven innings in game one and allowed two hits. She struckout nine batters and earned a win over Conference Carolinas February Freshman of the Month Lily Hartsell. Freshman CJ McBride struck out six batters over five innings in game two.

Game One: Converse 2, Belmont 1

The teams made it through the first inning and half before the game saw its first hit: a two-out single from Thomas. Despite making it to second base, the Valkyries were unable to bring her around to score.

Belmont Abbey didn't get their first hit until the fourth inning and left the runner stranded at second after a walk and a pop out.

A would-be big inning from Belmont Abbey was halted when freshman shortstop Olivia Jones caught a line drive and turned an unassisted double play. The Crusaders ended up leaving two runners stranded in scoring position at the inning's end.

Belmont Abbey scored their first run of the day on a two-out wild pitch.

Sophomore Karlie Gibson hit a leadoff pinch-hit single in the bottom of the seventh. With one out, Thomas cleared the left field fence walking the game off with a 2-1 victory for the Valkyries.

Game Two: Converse 11, Belmont Abbey 1 (5 Innings)

Converse struck early and often in game two. The Valkyries plated their first run before they even recorded their first out. Gibson added two more runs with a double down the left field line. Thomas kept her momentum from game one with a bases-loaded RBI walk. Graduate outfielder Megan Monk, who had already scored in the inning, brought home two runs with a single into right field. Freshman Charley Swartzel and junior Aubree Leonard combined for three RBIs in back-to-back at-bats with singles.

All told, Converse scored nine runs in the inning, their most in a single inning this season.

Sophomore Angela Tucker drove in the Valkyries tenth run of the game in the second inning and senior AJ Albano did the same one inning later.
Belmont Abbey scored their only run of the game on a one-out sacrifice fly in the fourth inning.

The first batter for the Crusaders reached base in the top of the fifth inning. The Valkyries then recorded an out on a fielder's choice. A line drive to Albano at shortstop turned into a game-ending double play as the Crusaders' runner was way too far from the bag, securing Converse's 11-1 victory.

On deck for the Valkyries:
The Valkyries are back on the diamond on Saturday, March 15 as they head to Banner Elk, North Carolina to take on the Lees-McRae Bobcats. First pitch is scheduled for 1 P.M.

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