MISENHEIMER, N.C. (Feb. 20, 2024) -- The Pfeiffer softball team got a pair of dominant pitching performances by posting shutouts in a doubleheader sweep of visiting Messiah University on Tuesday afternoon at Jack Ingram Field.

Senior pitcher Kali Morton was dealing on Monday, tossing a two-hit shutout to lead the Pfeiffer Falcons past the Messiah Falcons 1-0.

Morton (1-0) went the distance for Pfeiffer (3-0), giving up just two hits, walking two while striking out 11 Messiah batters.

Offensively, the Falcons were paced by junior Emma Chopko, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a home run and an RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Falcons took the lead for good in the sixth, scoring for the first and only time in the inning. Chopko put Pfeiffer on the board with a two-out solo home run off senior Lydia Collis.

GAME NOTES

» Morton tossed a two-hit shutout for the Falcons.
» Morton struck out 11 Messiah Falcons hitters.
» Pfeiffer's highest scoring inning was the sixth, when it pushed one run across.
» The Falcons out-hit the Messiah Falcons at a 3-2 clip.
» Pfeiffer pitchers limited Messiah to just 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
» Pfeiffer pitchers faced 26 Messiah hitters in the game, allowing three ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out 11.
» Chopko led the Falcons at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a home run and an RBI.
» Messiah was led offensively by sophomore Allie Book, who went 1-for-3.
» Collis led the Messiah Falcons pitching staff, throwing six innings of one-run ball.

 

In game two, junior Kenzi Lyall took to the circle hurling a one-hit shutout to lead the Pfeiffer Falcons to a 5-0 win.

Lyall (2-0) went the distance for Pfeiffer (4-0), giving up one hit, walking three and striking out six.

Lyall also led Pfeiffer offensively, as she went 2-for-3 in the game, with a double and an RBI. Junior Gracie Griffin compiled a noteworthy performance at the dish as well, going 3-for-4 while sophomore Charly Cooper also put together two hits in two trips to the plate and also drew a walk.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Falcons took the lead for good in the fourth inning, scoring twice in the frame.  Lyall started the scoring with a sacrifice fly followed by an RBI single from Chopko.

The Falcons then tacked on three runs in the sixth inning on a bases loaded walk drawn by Jaci Cook, an RBI groundout from Emily Dickerson and a sacrifice fly from Lyall.

Lyall took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and recorded the first two outs of the frame before Messiah broke up the no-hitter with a single.  Two batters later, a line-out to first baseman Gracie Griffin ended the game.

GAME NOTES

» Lyall tossed a one-hit shutout for the Falcons.
» Griffin compiled three hits in the game for Pfeiffer.
» Lyall struck out six Messiah Falcons hitters.
» Every Pfeiffer starter reached base safely in the win.
» Pfeiffer's highest scoring inning was the sixth, when it pushed three runs across.
» The Falcons out-hit the Messiah Falcons at a 9-1 clip.
» Pfeiffer pitchers limited Messiah to just 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position.
» Pfeiffer pitchers faced 27 Messiah hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and nine fly balls while striking out six.
» The Falcons drew eight walks from Messiah pitching.
» Lyall led the Falcons at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
» Messiah was led offensively by senior Paige Eakes, who went 0-for-1.
» Senior Lydia Collis led the Messiah Falcons pitching staff, throwing one scoreless inning.

Up Next
The Falcons will hit the road for the first time this season on Wednesday, Feb. 21 when they travel to Averett University for a doubleheader.  First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.