GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum University softball team won a pair of one-run contests over Converse on Thursday (Feb. 22) at Red Edmonds Field.
Tusculum (8-7) is scheduled to host Belmont Abbey on Saturday (Feb. 24) for a noon doubleheader.
Game 1: Tusculum 2, Converse 1
Emily Sappington struck out 12 batters in the victory, including the first five Valkyries she faced.
With two outs in the first inning, Claire Smeltzer singled to right field and advanced to second on a fielding error. Gabi Nicholson made Converse pay with an infield single and another miscue by the Valkyries to score Smeltzer.
Converse tied the game with two outs in the third. After back-to-back hits, a throwing error on a double steal plated a run.
Tusculum pulled ahead in the fourth with the eventual winning run. Ellie Alvarez led off the inning with a hit by pitch and stealing second. She advanced to third on a wild pitch while Alyssa Barbrick drew a full-count walk. Makayla Bush entered to pinch run. She and Alvarez executed a double-steal with the latter scoring on a throwing error.
Sappington tossed three more strikeouts in the final three frames as the Pioneer defense behind her pulled off a double play to keep the lead intact.
In the circle, Sappington (2-2) tossed a complete game, allowing five hits, an unearned run, two walks, and 12 strikeouts on 98 pitches.
Game 2: Tusculum 5, Converse 4
A two RBI double by Brooke Smith preserved the Pioneers perfect record over the Valkyries in the series history (12-0).
Converse got the early lead in game two. The Valkyries strung together a fielder's choice and a sacrifice bunt, followed by a single to center.
Tusculum responded with two in the third. Abby Hunter led off with a double, advancing to third on a Sammy Jimenez sacrifice bunt. Smeltzer doubled her in, followed by Nicholson's RBI single.
The Valkyries regained the lead in the top of the fourth with a two-run double to right.
The Pioneers tied the game at 3-all in the bottom half of the inning. Jason drew a four-pitch walk, advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt with a muffed throw. She scored on a Jimenez sacrifice fly.
A solo home run by Converse kept the lead changing once again.
Tusculum took its final lead in the fifth. Maddie McBride and Alvarez notched consecutive singles, followed by a four-pitch walk to Barbrick. Smith drilled a single back up the middle to plate both Alvarez and McBride.
Ireland Cavanaugh threw the first three innings, relenting six hits and one unearned run on 50 pitches. Nyah Vogel (2-0) picked up the win after tossing two innings in relief. She allowed four hits, three runs (one earned), one walk, and one strikeout. Natalie Spaitis (Sv., 1) earned the save by finishing out the final two frames, as the Valkyries tallied just one hit but struck out three times against the freshman.
