Pfeiffer Softball Sweeps N.C. Wesleyan in USA South Doubleheader

Misenheimer, N.C. (April 3, 2021) – The Pfeiffer Falcons softball team got two superb pitching performances en route to a doubleheader sweep over N.C. Wesleyan on Saturday at Jack Ingram Field.

The Basics

Game 1 – Pfeiffer def. N.C. Wesleyan, 4-2
Game 2 – Pfeiffer def. N.C. Wesleyan, 4-0

Records
Pfeiffer – 9-8, 4-1 USA South
N.C. Wesleyan – 19-5, 5-2 USA South
Location – Misenheimer, N.C. – Jack Ingram Field

How it Happened

Game 1 – Pfeiffer went ahead 1-0 after junior Caiti Mickles drew a bases loaded walk in the fourth inning.  Pfeiffer would then increase the lead to 4-0 in the fifth inning when Makenzie Pennell belted a three-run home run to left field after Kyndell Warren reached on a single and Paige Love was hit by a pitch.

The Bishops would cut the Falcon lead to 4-2 in the sixth inning after getting a two-out, two RBI double from Beth Braswell.

Pfeiffer was retired in order in the sixth and the Falcons returned the favor in the seventh to take the 4-2 win.

Ashlyn Kennedy earned the pitching win for Pfeiffer to improve to 2-1 on the season.  Kennedy threw a complete game allowing just three hits while striking out seven.

Game 2 – In game two, Pfeiffer again struck first, this time in the second inning.  Hannah Tyner led off with a double off the right field wall.  Following a groundout, Mickles singled to the left center gap that allowed Tyner to race around the bases, giving Pfeiffer the 1-0 lead.

N.C. Wesleyan would manage their only hit of the game in the fourth inning when Logan Winstead led off with a single.  After a lineout, Pfeiffer catcher Sara Brown erased the threat when she caught Winstead stealing for the second out.  After a walk, the Falcons retired the Bishops with a fly out to end the inning.

Pfeiffer extended the lead to 3-0 in the fifth inning after a leadoff walk from Mickles.  A single from Taylor Parrish put runners on first and second and after a N.C. Wesleyan pitching change, Adison Campbell loaded the bases with a single that dropped just out of reach of the pitcher.  Warren would then draw a bases loaded walk.  A Paige Love the drove in a run on a pop up to second base that turned the infielder into an awkward angle, allowed Mickles to score from third.

In the sixth, N.C. Wesleyan put runners on first and second, chasing Falcon starter Taylor Parrish from the circle.  Caiti Mickles entered and after giving up a sacrifice bunt that put runners on second and third, she recorded strikeouts for the final two outs to end the threat.

Pfeiffer then added another run in the sixth on an RBI double from Parrish that scored Mickles, providing the eventual 4-0 final.

Mickles then retired the Bishops in order in the seventh to earn her first save of the season.  Parrish earned the win to improve her record to 3-2 on the season after throwing five innings and allowing just one hit while striking out five Bishop batters. Mickles finished with four strikeouts while earning the save.

Up Next
The Falcons will continue USA South play on Saturday, April 10 with a road doubleheader at Meredith College.  First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at the Meredith Softball Complex in Raleigh, N.C.