BANNER ELK, N.C. – Megan Powell tied her career high in strikeouts this afternoon with 14 punchouts in a 5-0 game one victory against Converse and launched a grand slam in the 13-1 win over Converse in the nightcap of today's Conference Carolinas doubleheader.
GAME #1 BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Lees-McRae – 5; Converse – 0
LOCATION: Softball Field – Banner Elk, North Carolina
RECORDS: Lees-McRae (12-9/1-0), Converse (10-15/1-2)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Powell walked the first batter on four pitches and then sat the Valkyries down in order with three consecutive strikeouts in the first inning.
- The Bobcats provided Powell with run support in the third inning as Morgan Crowe started the rally with a one-out walk. Julie Gast doubled down the right field line to score Crowe from second and Powell recorded an RBI single with a shot to right-center field to plate Gast.
- Grayson Buckner singled to right field two batters as Avery Walston scored on the hit and Hannah Foster rounded the bases via a Converse throwing error. Abby West singled to center field to bring home Buckner as the Bobcats led 5-0 after three complete innings.
- Converse got the lead-off hitter aboard in the fourth inning but a diving stop by Laurent Ritchie ended the threat and Powell struck out Katelynn Tux to end the inning.
- Powell secured her sixth winning of the season with the complete-game shutout of the Valkyrie after only surrendering one hit and three walks. Powell's 14 strikeouts is her most since her no-hitter against Converse on March 29, 2022.
- Buckner and Powell each collected three hits in the contest and Buckner, Gast, Powell, and West had one RBI apiece in the 5-0 win.
FOR THE VALKYRIES
- Kayla Rocha had the lone hit for Converse in today's game and Serrah Ballard took the loss in the circle for the Valkyries after going 2.2 innings pitched while allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits.
- Rylee Summers came in relief and allowed six hits and had one strikeout.
GAME #2 BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Lees-McRae – 13; Converse – 1 F/5
LOCATION: Softball Field – Banner Elk, North Carolina
RECORDS: Lees-McRae (13-9/2-0), Converse (10-16/1-3)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Powell completed the day with a strong outing at the plate as the sophomore from Eden, North Carolina went 2-4 from the plate with a four-run home run in the second for the Bobcats in the second game.
- Foster opened the scoring for Lees-McRae in the first inning with a single back to the pitcher that allowed Gast to score.
- The Bobcats broke the game open in the next frame after the first three batters for Lees-McRae reached base. Powell homered to left field two batters later to give the Bobcats the five-run advantage.
- In the third inning, Lees-McRae plated three more runs via a Jordyn Scott sacrifice fly and a two RBI single from Gast.
- The fourth inning proved to be all in favor of Lees-McRae after the Bobcats scored for the fourth consecutive inning of the contest. Buckner gave the Bobcats the 9-0 lead after singling to third base and scoring on a wild pitch.
- Rylie Webster singled to right field and Foster scored on the play. Webster touched home plate on another wild pitch and the Bobcats scored their final run off an RBI single from Gast that scored Taylor Beurrier.
- Converse managed to get on the board in the fifth inning, but Scott threw out the Valkyrie trying to stretch a single into a doubleheader in the fifth. Lees-McRae earned the 13-1 win over Converse in five innings.
- Jada Wilson recorded her fifth win of the season after striking out five Valkyries while allowing one run (one earned) on four hits in an efficient 69 pitches.
- Crowe, Gast, Powell, and Webster all had multi-hit games from the Bobcats with Powell having four RBI and Gast following with three.
FOR THE VALKYRIES:
- Chesney Miles had two hits for Converse in the outing and Karleigh Crabill registered the lone RBI for the Valkyries in either game.
- Ingle suffered the loss after getting the start in the circle. Ingle gave up 10 runs (10 earned) on 10 hits and two walks.
UP NEXT:
Lees-McRae is back on the diamond on Friday, March 24 as the Bobcats welcome Belmont Abbey for a twin bill starting at 1 p.m.
For more information on Lees-McRae Athletics, follow the Bobcats on Twitter (@LMCBobcats), on Facebook (Lees-McRae Athletics), and on Instagram (leesmcraeathletics).
