Pfeiffer Softball Drops NCAA Regional Championship Game

Marietta, Ohio (May 21, 2023) – The Pfeiffer University softball team advanced to the NCAA Regional Championship game with a 6-3 win over No. 20 Rowan University, forcing a second championship game, in which the Profs claimed a 5-3 win.

The Basics
Championship Game 1 – Pfeiffer def. #20 Rowan, 6-3
Championship Game 2 – #20 Rowan def. Pfeiffer,5-3

Records
No. 20 Rowan – 39-7
Pfeiffer - 35-13

Location – Marietta, Ohio – Marietta Field

How it Happened – Game 1
After two scoreless innings, Pfeiffer's Gracie Griffin (Calabash, N.C.) dropped an RBI single into left field to put Pfeiffer up 1-0.

Kenzi Lyall (Sparta, N.C.) then drew a bases loaded walk in the fourth inning to push the lead to 2-0.  Kyndell Warren (Lenoir, N.C.) would make it 3-0 with a sacrifice fly to left field that scored Alexis Walter (Taylorsville, N.C.) from third.

In the top of the seventh, Griffin roped a three-run home run to left field to put the Falcons up 6-0.

Rowan mounted a comeback in their half of the seventh, plating three runs before Emma Bullin (Ararat, N.C.) closed the door by forcing a fly out to center field to give Pfeiffer the 6-3 win while earning her first save of the season. 

Pfeiffer's Kali Morton (Mooresville, N.C.) earned her 22^nd pitching win of the season, tossing six innings, allowing two hits while striking out seven Rowan batters.

How it Happened – Game 2
In the second game, Pfeiffer took control early after scoring a pair of runs in the second inning. Alexis Walter provided a sacrifice bunt that gave Pfeiffer the 1-0 lead. A Rowan fielding error allowed the lead to grow to 2-0.

Rowan got an RBI single in the fifth inning to tie the game at 2-2.

In the seventh, the Profs tacked on three runs to take the 5-2 lead.

Pfeiffer then responded in the seventh inning following a fly out to center field.  Warren was able to draw a walk and then advanced to third when Chopko doubled to left center.  Griffin then got an RBI on a sacrifice fly to bring Pfeiffer to 5-3.

After a Caiti Mickles (Boonville, N.C.) walk, Taylor Parrish would reach on a fielder's choice, with Chopko sliding in safely to third to load the bases.

With the game tying run at second, Emma Bullin hit a sharp grounder up the middle, but the Rowan second baseman was able to snag the ball and flip to second for the third out, and in doing so, advancing Rowan to the NCAA Super Regional.

Following the game, Emma Bullin, Charly Cooper, and Kenzi Lyall were named to the All-Tournament team.


The loss completes the Pfeiffer season, with the Falcons finishing with a 35-13 overall record.