SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Lynn softball lost the final two games of the Valkyrie Classic on Sunday. The Fighting Knights fell to Limestone, 3-1, and St. Thomas Aquinas, 8-3, in eight innings. Lynn went 2-4 over the three-day tournament. 

HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 1 vs. Limestone): 
- All four runs in the game were scored in the first inning 
- Limestone scored three runs without a hit in the frame  
- The leadoff hitter struck out but reached on a wild pitch, while an error and three walks proceeded to lead to a 3-0 Limestone advantage 
- In the bottom of the first, Morgan Simpson reached on an error and later scored on Teagan Riley's sac bunt 
- Lynn starter Kayley Zazzali returned nine of 10 batters faced in the second, third and fourth innings 
- Zazzali got out of a bases-loaded jam with no outs after recording a strikeout, line out and fielder's choice to keep the score 3-1 in favor of Limestone 
- The Fighting Knights managed just one hit over the final three innings 

FIGHTING KNIGHT STATS (Game 1 vs. Limestone): 
- Zazzali pitched a complete game (7 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO) 
- Simpson scored a run for the fifth consecutive game to start the season 

HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 2 vs. St. Thomas Aquinas): 
- St. Thomas scored an unearned run in the top of the first 
- Simpson reached, stole two bases and scored on an error to tie the game, 1-1, after one inning 
- A bases loaded walk gave St. Thomas a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth 
- The Fighting Knights took the lead in the fifth 
- Olivia Lovins knocked home Aryana Galioto with a single to tie it at two 
- Eliza Gonzalez drove in Maiya Reinhart to take a 3-2 lead 
- The Spartans tied the game in the sixth after a walk and single 
- St. Thomas Aquinas rallied for five runs in the top of the eighth 
- The Spartans erupted for six hits in the extra frame to win the game, 8-3 

FIGHTING KNIGHT STATS (Game 2 vs. St. Thomas Aquinas): 
- Simpson stole two bases to give her eight on the season while extending her runs scored streak to six games to begin the season 
- Riley went 2-for-4 and has at least one hit in every game this year 
- Reinhart reached twice and has a .500 OB% in 12 plate appearances 
- Josey Sumpter walked in both of her plate appearances and has now walked or been hit by a pitch in eight of her 14 plate appearances 
- Starting pitcher Haley Fardanesh pitched 3.2 innings and allowed one earned run 

UP NEXT: 
- Lynn returns to Boca Raton for its home opener against East Stroudsburg on Friday, February 9 for a noon doubleheader