Misenheimer, N.C. -- It was a successful home opener for the Pfeiffer baseball team (5-3) on Thursday afternoon as they defeated Elmira (N.Y.) (0-4) by a score of 5-3 to extend their win streak to five games. First baseman Kirby Lambert was the hero for the Falcons, as he hit a go-ahead grand slam in the bottom of the 8th inning that turned out to be the game winner to help give Pfeiffer a home opening victory.

It was a pitcher's duel throughout as the Falcons' Willis Carter along with the Pfeiffer bullpen battled the Soaring Eagles' starter Andy Reed to shut down both offenses much of the game. Carter went 4 innings, giving up 2 hits, 2 runs (1 earned) while striking out 2. Meanwhile, Reed gave Elmira everything he had for 7 innings on the afternoon. Reed gave up 5 hits, 1 run, and struck out 3 in a solid performance on the mound.

It came down to the battle of the bullpens, a battle in which the Falcons dominated. Pfeiffer's bullpen combined to pitch 5 innings of 1 run baseball while collecting 6 strikeouts.

In the bottom of the 8th, Pfeiffer loaded the bases with no outs, and cleanup hitter Kirby Lambert at the plate. With two strikes on him, Lambert crushed a grand slam deep over the right field fence to put the Falcons ahead 5-2. It was Lambert's 3rd homerun of the season, already coming within one homer of his season total from a year ago.

Lefty Will Altemueller collected the win on the mound for Pfeiffer, improving to 2-0 on the season. Altemueller struck out 1 in his one inning of relief. Senior Xavier Rodriguez also converted his first save of the season. The Falcons' staff held the Soaring Eagles' offense to just 3 hits on the afternoon while collecting 8 punchouts. Elmira's Dennis Rudolph (0-1) took the loss. 

The Falcons hit the field again tomorrow night as they start a three game series against the Ferrum Panthers. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 at Joe Ferebee Field.