MISENHEIMER, N.C. — Pfeiffer opened its 2026 campaign with a pair of home losses, falling 8-4 to Hampden-Sydney and a 12-7 decision to Grove City on Friday in the Joe Ferebee Classic.
Game 1 — Hampden-Sydney 8, Pfeiffer 4 (Friday)
Pfeiffer struck early, taking a 3–1 lead in the first inning behind
Levi Barrett's two-run homer and an
Austin Wood RBI single.
But Hampden-Sydney answered in waves, scoring in six different innings and hitting four home runs, including two from Jack Wilson, who finished 2-for-2 with three RBIs, three runs, two hit-by-pitches and a walk.
Pfeiffer's offense collected 11 hits, led by
Christian Bellantoni (2-for-3, double, run, HBP) and
Larson Stem (2-for-5). Barrett added a walk to go with his first-inning blast.
Falcons starter
Cayman Buck allowed five runs across 4? innings, while reliever
Mason Mosteller surrendered three homers in 2? innings. Freshman Connor Griffin provided a bright spot with two scoreless frames to finish the game.
Despite a clean defensive day with no errors, Pfeiffer left nine runners on base and managed only one run after the first inning. Hampden-Sydney pulled away with Wilson's fifth-inning two-run shot and back-to-back homers by Chase Sanford and Wilson again in the seventh.
Game 2 — Grove City 12, Pfeiffer 7
Later in the afternoon, Pfeiffer's offense again struck quickly with two runs in the first and another in the second, but Grove City countered with a four-run third and a five-run fifth to seize control. The Wolverines totaled 14 hits and 10 RBIs, powered by Colin Marinpetro's three-hit, three-RBI performance, including a home run.
Pfeiffer mounted a comeback in the seventh, plating four runs, capped by
Christian Bellantoni's three-run homer to center, his first of the season. Connor Coy added a two-RBI double earlier in the game, and freshman
Ethan Willard scored twice with two stolen bases.
On the mound, starter
Trent Lowe worked three innings but allowed seven runs (five earned) with five strikeouts. Reliever
Cameron Cooper steadied the Falcons with 4? scoreless innings and seven strikeouts, keeping Grove City off the board after the sixth
Up Next
Pfeiffer will host Maryville College on Saturday night at 6;00 p.m. in the final game of the Joe Ferebee Classic.
