Softball Trounces Piedmont International in Home Openers

Misenheimer, N.C. (Feb. 14, 2019) – The Pfeiffer University softball team opened the 2019 season with two runaway victories over Piedmont International. The Falcons took game one by an 8-0 score and followed that with an 18-2 five-inning win in game two.

The Falcons wasted no time in game one, jumping ahead 1-0.  Vada Blue Sherrill (Hiddenite, N.C.) drew a leadoff walk, then promptly stole second. She would then advance on a groundout and would score when Makenzie Pennell (Taylorsville, N.C.) grounded out to shortstop.

The Bruins went down in order in the second inning, then Pfeiffer struck again, this time putting up four runs.  Several PIU errors led to Pfeiffer scores, but the big hit of the inning came when Pennell doubled down the right field line, driving in Alyssa Heitz (Concord, N.C.).

Pfeiffer would add single runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings, with Sherrill collecting an RBI triple in the third.  Kari Westerbeek (Warsaw, N.C.) hit the first home run of the season in the fourth inning, to straightaway center field and Paige Love (Rock Hill, S.C.) provided the final score in the fifth when she singled through the right side to end the game, driving in Maranda Benton (Midland, N.C.) to end the game at 8-0.

In game two, Pfeiffer plated nine runs in the first inning and never looked back, winning 18-2.  In that game, Pfeiffer pounded Bruin pitching, rapping out 14 hits, five of which went for extra bases.  Sherrill knocked her first homer of the year in the fourth inning, a solo shot that put Pfeiffer up 16-2.

Pennell finished 3-for-3 in game two, knocking in one while Sara Brown (Franklin County, Va.) finished 3-for-4 with two RBI.  Sherrill and Benton also had two RBI in the game, with Benton going 1-for-2 and Sherrill going 2-for-3.

Pfeiffer (2-0) will head to Greensboro on Saturday, Feb. 16 for their first road games of the year, taking on the Quakers at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.