SPARTANBURG, S.C.  – By defeating the Lees-McRae Bobcats (7-33, 1-17 Conference Carolinas) via the run rule in both games of their Saturday doubleheader, the Converse University softball team (18-26, 10-10 Conference Carolinas) set a program records for wins in a season for the second consecutive year.

The Valkyries took game one 11-3 in five innings and game two 11-2 in six innings. Senior Sydney Watson hit the walk-off, run-rule-securing hit in both games. Watson tied her own program single-season home runs record with one home run in each game, giving her 10 long bombs this season. The Valkyries also completed a season sweep of Lees-McRae for the first time in program history.

Junior Aubree Leonard became the first Valkyrie to hit multiple triples in the same game as she hit two three-baggers in game two.

Senior pitcher Riley Lingerfelt earned the win in both games, giving her 13 on the season and breaking her own record which she set last season. She threw five innings in both games, earning a complete game win in game one and the pitching win in game two. She struck out eight batters across both games.

Game One: Converse 11, Lees-McRae 3 (5 Innings)

Despite the Bobcats striking first in the top of the first inning, the Valkyries ended the first inning ahead. Two runs came in to score as freshman Olivia Jones reached on a fielding error with the bases loaded. Another error further extended the inning and sophomore Ava Wells brought home two more runs with a single up the middle. After a walk to load the bases, freshman Addie Branen singles through the left side of the infield, scoring the Valkyries' fifth and final run of the inning.

After freshman Charley Swartzel hit a lead-off single in the second inning, Jones brought her around to score with a single of her own.

Watson hit her first of two home runs on the day in the bottom of the fourth with a one-out, two-RBI blast that easily cleared the fence in left center field.

Despite the Bobcats picking up two runs in the top of the fifth inning, three consecutive at-bats from Leonard, Swartzel and Watson brought the game to a close as each Valkyrie picked up an RBI.

Game Two: Converse 11, Lees-McRae 2 (6 Innings)

After a lead-off triple from Leonard, Swartzel brought her around to score with an RBI single. She later came around to score as well.

Four consecutive hits in the second inning added the same number of runs to the Valkyries' total. Branen singled into center, scoring senior Katelynn Tuxbury who was hit by a pitch to open the inning. Leonard then hit her second triple of the game, scoring Branen. Swartzel picked up an extra-base hit of her own with a double and Watson rounded out the hit train with a single down the right field line. The Valkyries led 6-0 heading into the third inning.

A solo home run gave Lees-McRae their first run of the game in the top of the third inning. Branen doubled in the bottom of the inning, scoring two runs, but was thrown out attempting to take third, ending the inning.

The Bobcats picked up their second and final run of the game with another solo home run in the top of the fourth.

After sophomore Madison Davis hit a lead-off single, Swartzel drove her in to score with her third RBI of the game. Watson hit her second home run of the day on the next at-bat, ending the game via the run rule 11-2.

On deck for the Valkyries:
The Valkyries conclude their 2025 home slate with No. 4 Francis Marion tomorrow, April 13, at 1 P.M.

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