WILSON, N.C. – The Barton softball team (18-16, 7-5) swept a Conference Carolinas doubleheader from Converse (14-28, 3-11), 9-0 and 3-2, Friday afternoon at Jeffries Field.
Game One – Barton 9, Converse 0
Barton senior
Miranda Holmes (Godwin, N.C.) (13-6) threw her eighth shutout of the year, limiting the Valkyries to just one hit while striking out nine batters as the Bulldogs run-ruled the Valkyries.
Barton junior designated player
Gracelyn Massey (Princeton, N.C.) opened the scoring with a two-run single in the bottom of the first inning and finished with three runs batted in as the Bulldogs scored three times each in the first and second innings, respectively, to take control.
Massey also scored three times while Converse's Victoria Dichio (Crawfordville, Fla.) fell to 5-11 on the season.
Game Two – Barton 3, Converse 2
Massey added a solo home run – her team-leading tenth round-tripper of the season – and finished with a pair of RBI while senior catcher
Sydney Wade (Farmville, N.C.) drove in the game-winning run with a double in the bottom of the sixth inning as the Bulldogs rallied from a 2-0 deficit to sweep the Valkyries.
Holmes (14-6) struck out seven batters while pitching four innings of scoreless softball in relief to earn the win.
For Converse, Sydney Watson (Plant City, Fla.) drove in a run in the first frame but Riley Lingerfelt (Welcome, N.C.) fell to 9-13 after taking the loss.
Barton remains at home to host Belmont Abbey in a league doubleheader on Saturday at 2:00 p.m., while Converse travels to Murfreesboro, N.C., to face Chowan in a doubleheader starting at Noon.
