SPARTANBURG, S.C.- The Shorter Hawks (10-21, 4-9, CC) snapped their losing streak with a series split against Converse (7-21, 3-5 CC) Saturday afternoon. Shorter dropped game one in a narrow 2-1 loss before responding with a 7-1 win in game two.
GAME ONE
Hayden Joyner was highly efficient in the circle for the Hawks in the opening game of the day, holding the Valkyries at bay for the first two innings. The hosts eventually struck in the third with a solo shot to grab the early 1-0 lead.
Ashton Stevens responded with an RBI double to left field to even it at one.
Both sides continued to hold each other scoreless until the sixth when Converse connected on another home run to take the 2-1 lead. The Hawks were granted one more shot in the top of the seventh as hits from
Alex Hollingsworth,
Rylee Gattis, and
Lizzy Mitchell loaded the bags. Shorter, unfortunately, could not capitalize, as the Valkyries prevented them from taking the lead with a strikeout and a ground-out to end game one.
Notable Performances:
Rylee Gattis: 4-4
Lizzy Mitchell: 3-4
Ashton Stevens: 1-4, RBI
GAME TWO
The Hawks had an offensively sound showing in game two, as
Rylee Gattis picked up where she left off with an RBI double that sent Hollingsworth home in the top of the first. Shorter added another run in the fourth in the form of a sac-fly from
Kiley Arnold as Converse tacked on a run in the fifth, making it 2-1 heading into the top of the sixth.
Shorter's offense exploded, plating five runs as Shorter drove in three on walks and two on RBI from
Lizzy Mitchell and
Ashton Stevens. The Hawks' strong showing in the sixth proved to be the difference maker, giving them the 7-1 win in game two to snap their losing streak.
Notable Performances:
Madison Bishop: W (2-4), 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 K
Rylee Gattis: 2-4, RBI
Lizzy Mitchell: 1-4, RBI, 2 R
Ashton Stevens: 1-4, RBI
UP NEXT
The Hawks return to Rome on Friday as they host Chowan for a doubleheader series with game one slated for a 2:00 PM start time and game two scheduled for 30 minutes after game one.
FOLLOW THE HAWKS
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goshorterhawks.com