DUNCAN, S.C. - The Chowan University softball team picked up a pair of wins on the day, defeating King University and Converse University in the Conference Carolinas Softball Championship. After entering the fifth inning tied against the Tornado, the Hawks erupted for a seven-run sixth inning to secure a 10-3 victory. In the second contest, Chowan maintained control throughout, holding the Crusaders scoreless through five innings and cruising to a 7-2 win.
THE BASICS
FINAL GAME ONE | Chowan 10, King 3
FINAL GAME TWO | Chowan 7, Converse 2
RECORDS | Chowan 32-19 , King (31-26), Converse (16-37)
LOCATION |Duncan, S.C. (Tyger River Park)
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
Game One vs King
Chowan opened the scoring in the second inning as Hope Soria singled up the middle to bring home Calliope James. The Hawks added to their lead in the fourth when Ava Mizell singled down the right field line to score Alexis Denham, giving Chowan a 3-0 advantage.
King responded with three runs in the fifth to even the score, but the Hawks answered in dominant fashion in the sixth inning. Mizell started the rally with a two-RBI double to left center, scoring Lexie Ritchie and Hydee Kugler. Kaitlyn Springle followed with a bunt single to bring in Denham, while Kyra Helton added a two-RBI single up the middle to plate Blair Elliott and Mizell. Helton later scored, and Makenzi Curry crossed home on a Tornado throwing error to cap the seven-run frame.
Mizell led the offense with two hits, three RBIs, and a run scored, while Springle added two hits and an RBI. Helton recorded two RBIs with a hit and a run, and Curry tallied two hits and a run. Bryson added two hits, while Denham scored twice.
Curry earned the start in the circle, tossing 4.0 innings before Abby Rutledge closed out the game, allowing just three hits and no runs to secure the win.
Game Two vs Converse
The Hawks wasted no time getting on the board, as Kyra Helton doubled down the left field line to score Mizell in the opening inning. Chowan extended its lead in the third with a sacrifice fly from Calliope James that brought home Springle.
A three-run fourth inning gave the Hawks further separation. Mizell delivered an RBI double to score Ryleigh Gough, then aggressively advanced to third and scored on a throwing error. Curry added a single through the right side, and Helton later scored on an error to push the lead even further. Mizell capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly to bring in Kugler.
Converse managed two runs in the sixth, but the Hawks maintained control to secure the 7-2 victory.
Helton and Bryson each recorded three hits to lead the offense, while Mizell finished with two hits, two runs, and three RBIs. Denham added two hits and a run scored.
Emily Fowler got the start in the circle, pitching 5.0 innings before Rutledge came in to close out the final two innings.
UP NEXT
Chowan will face #3 seed Southern Wesleyan in a rematch on Saturday, April 25 at 12:00 PM on Field One at Tyger River Park.
