Pfeiffer Softball Takes Two From Alma College in Home Openers

Misenheimer, N.C. (Feb. 21, 2022) – Pfeiffer University opened their home slate with a pair of close wins over visiting Alma College on Monday afternoon at Jack Ingram Field.

The Basics
Game 1 –Pfeiffer def. Alma, 3-1
Game 2 – Pfeiffer def. Alma, 4-3 (8 innings)

Records
Alma – 0-2
Pfeiffer – 5-1

Location – Misenheimer, N.C. – Jack Ingram Field
How it Happened – Game 1
After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the third inning, freshman Emma Chopko (Mooresville, N.C.) hit a two-RBI single in the Falcon half of the third inning to give Pfeiffer the 2-1 lead.  Senior Caiti Mickles (Boonville, N.C.) would add an insurance marker for the Falcons in the fifth inning, as she laced a double to center field that scored teammate Kyndell Warren (Lenoir, N.C.)

Pfeiffer found themselves in a one-out bases-loaded jam in in the sixth inning, but a strikeout from Pfeiffer pitcher Ashlynn Kennedy (New London, N.C.) followed by a groundout ended the threat.

Kennedy also was able to hold the Scots scoreless in the seventh to claim the win.  She finished with eight strikeouts while allowing just two hits.

Game 2
Senior Hannah Tyner (Carthage, N.C.) delivered a one-out sacrifice fly to deep right field, allowing Chopko to score from third, ending the eight-inning game in walk-off fashion.

Pfeiffer gave up a leadoff home run to Alma's Haley Ullrich in the first inning, staking the Scots to an early 1-0 lead.  The Falcons would respond in the home half of the first when Kennedy scored after Warren reached on a throwing error by the Scot catcher.

Alma would go up 2-1 in the third and added another in the fifth to take the 3-1 lead.

Pfeiffer responded with a pair of runs in the fifth when Mickles reached on a fielder's choice with Warren sliding under the tag at the plate.  Warren would then score on a single from Gracie Griffin (Calabash, N.C.) to tie the game at 3-3.

Alma would go down in order in the seventh inning, and in the home half of the frame, Pfeiffer put runners on the corners but was unable to plate the winning run, sending the game to extra innings

Using the international tiebreaker rule, where a runner is placed on second base, the Scots were able to move the runner to third on a bunt.  The next Scot batter also attempted a bunt, but popped it up, allowing Pfeiffer to turn the double play to end the threat, leading to Tyner's heroics in the bottom half of the inning, sending Pfeiffer to the 4-3 win.

Pfeiffer's Kennedy earned the win in game two, going 3.2 inning allowing no hits while striking out one Scot batter.

Up Next
Pfeiffer will head to the Triangle Classic, hosted by fellow USA South member William Peace University.

The Falcons will begin play on Friday, Feb. 25 at 10:00 a.m. against Arcadia, followed by a 12:30 game against Denison.  Pfeiffer will also play on Saturday, Feb. 26 against #14 Piedmont and Randolph.