Hickory, N.C. – The No. 12 Lenoir-Rhyne Softball Team (19-4) continued its winning ways as it used power and pitching to sweep Converse (2-22), 12-1 and 11-0, in two five-inning contests at Bears Field on Saturday afternoon.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Lenoir-Rhyne 12, Converse 1; Lenoir-Rhyne 11, Converse 0
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (19-4), Converse College (2-22)
Location: Bears Field | Hickory, N.C.
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STATS OF THE GAME (Game 1):
• The Bears were led by senior catcher
Mackenzie Cates (Efland, N.C.), who was three-for-three with a home run, three runs batted in and two runs scored. Lenoir-Rhyne sophomore designated player
Mackensi Swain (Pinetown, N.C.) added three runs batted in as well.
• LR was not fazed by the Valkyrie pitching as each player in the starting lineup recorded a hit in the game. Four Bears finished with multiple-hit contests as well.
• Converse's Allison Plafcan (Maggie Valley, N.C.) went one-for-two and drove in the Valkyries' lone run of the game.
• Junior
Brandi Parks (Roaring River, N.C.) earned the victory for the Bears, improving her record to 8-3 after pitching three innings and allowing just run to go along with five strikeouts. The loss was given to Converse's Jianna Pellegrino (Oak Ridge, N.C.) (1-5).
STATS OF THE GAME (Game 2):
• The Bears kept the hot hitting going, once again paced by Cates. Cates finished with two home runs – including a grand slam – and drove in six runs.
• Lenoir-Rhyne junior
Emily Kenley (Charlotte, N.C.) earned her 10th victory of the season - now 10-1 on the year – after throwing the complete game, four-hit shutout. Converse's Marissa Steadman (1-11) suffered the loss.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
• Lenoir-Rhyne is 6-0 all-time against Converse.
• The Bears now own a gaudy 12-0 record at home this year and are riding a nine-game winning streak.
• This is the fifth shutout of the year for Lenoir-Rhyne and the 13th game that the Bears have held an opponent to one run or less this season.
UP NEXT:
Lenoir-Rhyne leaves the friendly confines of Bears Field for a doubleheader against Augusta on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m., in Augusta, Ga. Converse will host Mississippi University for Women in a four-game home series starting on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m.
