JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – For the first time in series history, the Converse Valkyries (15-29) makes the jaunt over to Jeff City to tangle with Carson-Newman (21-15) Monday afternoon at The Vick for a non-conference doubleheader at 1 p.m.
Carson-Newman has won all four of its meetings with Converse, three of which have come via the run rule, and two by shutout. The Valkyries have never scored more than a run against C-N between their two previous doubleheaders. This will be Converse's first visit to Jefferson City.
The Valkyries are 3-11 against Carson-Newman's common opponents this season. Converse's loan win against a South Atlantic Conference opponent is against Coker.
Prior to run-ruling Chowan 17-6 on Saturday, Converse had dropped nine straight games. The Valkyries have one win in their last 10 contests dating back to March 23rd. Converse is 2-16 away from Tysinger, S.C. this season.
Macey Hughes sits in sixth place in Carson-Newman history for career home runs with 27. She sits tied with Hall of Famer Whitney, while All-American Brittany Hefner is in fifth with 28, while All-American Abby Fiessinger is two bombs away with 29. Sara Kelley (2010-14) holds the program's all-time record with 35. Hughes is also top five all-time in RBI with 160. She is one away from All-American catcher Bri Shoemake and fourth place with 161.
With 12 home runs this season, Brooke Matyasovsky leads the South Atlantic Conference in jacks. She ranks 13th nationally. The nation's leader - Valdosta State's Abby Sulte - has 22 home runs. Matyasovsky has 22 career home runs for the Orange and Blue - the 14th player in school history with 20. She has hit 63 home runs in her collegiate career - the seventh most among active players in all divisions and the most of any player actively playing in NCAA Division II.
Bailey has clobbered 26 home runs in her career. She sits a spot away from tying Macey Hughes for sixth all-time. Bailey and Brittany Hefner are the only players in school history with more than 25 home runs in two years. This marks the first time in program history Carson-Newman has three active players with 20 career home runs (Hughes, Bailey and Matyasovsky).
Hayden Dye can join that club with her next home run. That will be her 20th for her C-N career, putting her down as the 15th player in school history with 20 blasts.
First pitch between Carson-Newman and Converse is slated for 1 p.m. Monday. Coverage on the Eagle Sports Network is available at cneagles.com/live. A video stream can be found with a subscription to FloSports
