Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 Jeremy Zalacca - Director of Athletic Communications
BURLINGTON, N.C. - The Pfeiffer softball team (36-15) moved to 3-0 in the Conference Carolinas Tournament as they swept a pair of games and advanced to the championship game. In the opener, Pfeiffer used an eight run third inning to come away with a 9-3 victory over Belmont Abbey. In game two, the Falcons defeated Limestone 5-1 and are one win away from their first Tournament Championship since 2008.
In today's opener, the game was resumed due to weather with Chandler Walker on second base and no outs. After a pair of walks sandwiched an out, Jessica Jackson drove in Walker with a single to left field. Bailey Sherrill scored Rachel Crowder with a sacrifice fly to push the lead to 3-1. Five straight batters reached safely after the sac fly as Stephanie Fortner, Emma Tuttle, Walker and Crowder each knocked in runs.
On the mound, Callie Kuykendall earned her second win of the tournament as the freshman threw 3.2 innings of relief and allowed two runs.
Walker and Crowder each scored two runs and drove in two runs on the day. Eight players recorded at least one hit.
The Falcons used three pitchers in the game. Sam Jarmusch started and went 2.1 innings, allowing one run on two hits. Following Kuykendall, Sydney Poole pitched a scoreless seventh inning to end the game.
In the nightcap, Pfeiffer scored three times in the top of the first and never looked back. With two on and two out, Anna Lauren Brafford laced a double off the wall that scored Kiana Millsaps and Vada Bule Sherrill and put Pfeiffer ahead early. Jackson brought home the final run of the inning with an RBI single as the Falcons took control early.
Fortner added an RBI double in the fifth and Sherrill drew a bases loaded walk to push the lead to 5-0. Limestone would add one in the bottom of the sixth but Kuykendall would earn her third win of the tournament in the circle and has only allowed three runs in those contests.
The Falcons will take on the winner of tomorrow's elimination game between Mount Olive and Limestone. The Falcons have the upper hand as they are unbeaten and would need to lose twice in order to be eliminated. One win would send the Falcons to the NCAA Tournament and clinch the tournament title.
