SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The 12th-seeded Converse University softball team won the program's first-ever postseason game Thursday afternoon with a 5-3 victory over fifth-seeded UNC Pembroke in the opening round of the Conference Carolinas Softball Championship. The Valkyries capped off the night with a 3-2 victory over No. 4 North Greenville.

Freshman Gracee Stucki picked up both wins in the circle for Converse. She tossed two complete games, 14.0 innings total, allowing just five runs, three earned. She struck out four batters.

Game One: No. 12 Converse 5, No. 5 UNC Pembroke 3

Converse struck first with three runs in the top of the second inning. Sophomore Charley Swartzel turned a lead-off single into a run when freshman Alexis Felker doubled during the next at-bat. She later came around to score on a two-out single from graduate student Megan Monk.

Senior Kiarra Thomas drove in the Valkyries' third run of the inning with an RBI single.

The Braves cut the lead to one in the bottom of the fifth with a two-out single through the left side of the infield.

Converse added two insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning as freshman Tyler Karabach hit a one sac fly. Swartzel drove in the Valkyries' second run of the inning with a single into right field on the next at-bat.

A two-out double in the bottom of the seventh cut the lead to two, but a groundout to shortstop secured the Valkyries' first-ever postseason victory.

Game Two: No. 12 Converse 3, No. 4 North Greenville 2

Despite both teams having chances to score in the first two innings, Converse struck first in the top of the third as Karabach hit a two-out double, scoring Thomas from third and senior Madison Davis, who hit a double of her own earlier in the inning, from second.

North Greenville evened the game with a two-out two-RBI single up the middle in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Felker hit a lead-off double in the top of the seventh. Sophomore Sophia Naese, pinch running for Felker, later came around to score on a sac fly from senior Karlie Gibson.

A lead-off single from NGU wasn't enough as Converse recorded three consecutive outs to follow, securing the 3-2 win over their division rival.

On deck for the Valkyries
With the wins, Converse advances to day two of the Conference Carolinas Softball Championship for the first time in program history. They face off against top-seeded Francis Marion tomorrow, April 24, at noon.

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