AMERICUS and COLUMBUS, Ga. – The Converse University softball team took part in the Cougar-Hurricane Classic co-hosted by Columbus State and Georgia Southwestern this past weekend in the Peach State. The Valkyries fell in both games on Friday and both games on Saturday.

With the losses, Converse falls to 1-9 on the season.

Game One: Georgia Southwestern 10, Converse 9 (11 Inn.)

Converse struck first as juniors Karlie Gibson and Kiarra Thomas brought home runs in the top of the first. Converse held onto that lead until GSW tied the game in the bottom of the second. The Hurricanes took the lead with four runs in the bottom of the third inning.

GSW struck for one more run in the bottom of the fourth before Converse answered in the top of the fifth inning as a two-out error allowed Converse to plate another run. GSW scored once in the bottom of the inning.

In the team's biggest single-inning offensive output of the season, Converse struck for five runs in the top of the sixth inning, tying the game at 8-8 as senior Aubree Leonard, graduate student Megan Monk, Gibson and sophomore Charley Swartzel all brought home runs for the Valkyries.

Neither team scored in the seventh inning, both scored in the eighth inning, neither scored in the ninth or tenth innings before a bases-loaded fielder's choice ended the game in a 10-9 victory for the Hurricanes.

Game Two: Mount Olive 10, Converse 2 (5 Inn.)

Mount Olive scored 10 runs in the top of the first inning before Converse tallied on a two-RBI double from freshman Alexis Felker. Converse recorded two hits the rest of the way while only giving up one but still lost 10-2 in five innings.

Game Three: Montevallo 13, Converse 6

After a scoreless first inning, the Falcons struck first in the top of the second as a run came in to score on a throwing error. They added two more runs on a two-run blast in the top of the third inning.

The Valkyries scored two runs in the bottom of the third as Leonard singled and freshman Tyler Karabach doubled, each recording an RBI and cutting the lead to one run.

A run from Montevallo in the top of the fourth was negated by an RBI single from Swartzel in the bottom of that inning.

The Falcons tallied five total runs between the fifth and sixth innings. Converse scratched back three as Felker knocked a three-run home run with two outs in the inning, cutting the lead to three, 9-6. The Falcons answered with four runs in the top of the seventh inning.

The Valkyries loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the seventh but left all three stranded and lost 13-6.

Game Four: Columbus State 5, Converse 3

Converse struck first against the hosts as Thomas doubled into right-center field, scoring Karabach who singled to leadoff the game. A single and sac fly gave the Cougars the lead in the bottom of the first.

A scoreless second was followed by a third inning that saw Thomas drive in the Valkyries' second run of the game, tying the game 2-2. A two-out single in the bottom of the inning gave CSU the lead once again.

The Cougars scored in the same way in the fourth inning as they did in the first, a single and a sac fly, putting them up 5-2 with three full innings remaining.

Swartzel brought home the final run of the game in the top of the fifth with a two-out RBI single. Columbus State held on to win 5-3.

On deck for the Valkyries
The Valkyries will compete in their first traditional doubleheader of the season on the road against Anderson on Wednesday, Feb. 18. First pitch is scheduled for noon.

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