Softball Splits With Converse in Season Opener

Spartanburg, South Carolina- In the 2019 season opener, the Brenau softball team split a doubleheader against Converse College in non-conference play on Friday.

In the opening game, starting pitcher Jessica Rathje struck out 16 batters and pitched a complete game shutout in a 5-0 victory. The Glencoe, Alabama senior allowed only three hits and one walk in a dominating performance to capture her first win of the season.

A trio of freshman accounted for all three runs as Maygan Loparo went 1-3 with two RBIs, Alyssa Maisonet went 2-4 with one RBI and Steffanie Redmon added an RBI. Senior Lexi Cash and sophomore Faith Grooms also added two hits apiece in the win.

In the second game, the Golden Tigers struggled in the field, committing five errors in a 7-5 loss to the host Valkyries (1-3 overall).

Loparo again notched two RBIs, while fellow freshman Claire Fendig drove in added a pair of runs. Grooms also went 1-4 with an RBI at the plate.

Sophomore starter Kaleigh Sullivan threw three innings, allowing three runs and five hits to take the loss. Fellow sophomore Caroline Mitchell also allowed three runs in two innings of relief work.

Brenau (1-1 overall) next travels to Decatur, Georgia to take on NCAA DIII Agnes Scott College on Sunday.