Softball Rolls Over Salem in USA South Doubleheader Sweep

Winston-Salem, N.C. (April 17, 2022) – The Pfeiffer University softball team won both ends of a USA South doubleheader at Salem College on Saturday afternoon, winning 9-4 and 10-2.

The Basics
Game 1 – Pfeiffer def. Averett, 1-0
Game 2 – Averett def. Pfeiffer, 4-3

Records
Pfeiffer – 26-8,  12-2 USA South
Salem – 5-23, 2-12 USA South

Location – Winston-Salem, N.C. – Blixt Field

How it Happened – Game 1
After going scoreless in the first two innings, Pfeiffer's Gracie Griffin laced a two-run double to left field to stake the Falcons to the early 2-0 lead.  Salem then tied the game with a pair of runs of their own in their half of the inning, but Pfeiffer got a two-run home run from Hannah Tyner to go up 4-2 in the fourth inning.

Pfeiffer would stretch the lead to 5-2 in the fifth inning on an RBI single from Alexis Walter and would then go up 8-2 in the sixth inning after a two-run double from Kyndell Warren and a fielding error from the Sprit shortstop.

Salem would close to 8-4, but Pfeiffer's Ashlynn Kennedy would add an RBI single in the seventh to provide the eventual 9-4 final.

Kennedy would improve her record to 13-2 in the circle, as she pitched five innings, scattering five hits while striking out four Spirit batters.

Game 2
The Falcons wasted little time and jumped on Salem early, plating four runs in the first inning.  The big hit came when senior Caiti Mickles belted a two-run home run to center field to make it 4-0.

In the second inning, Gracie Griffin would get an RBI single to make it 5-0.

Three more runs crossed for Pfeiffer in the third inning, pushing the lead to 8-0.  During that span, Tyner, Kennedy and Griffin all hit RBI singles.

Salem got a two-run home run in the home half of the third inning to draw to 8-2, but Pfeiffer got those runs back in the fourth, when Taylor Parrish hit a two-run homer to center to make it 10-2.

In the fifth, Pfeiffer retired the Spirits in order to take the 5-inning win via the NCAA run-rule.

Caiti Mickles improved to 5-4 on the season with the pitching win, as she allowed just one hit and struck out one.  Taylor Parrish would earn her first save of the season, pitching three innings while allowing just three hits while striking out three Salem batters.

Up Next
The Falcons will return home to Jack Ingram Field on Wednesday, April 20 for a USA South doubleheader with William Peace.  First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.