GAME 1 | No. 18 Pfeiffer 9, Ferrum 1
MISENHEIMER, N.C. (March 16, 2024) -- The 18th-ranked Pfeiffer University softball team ran their program-best winning streak to 20 straight after a doubleheader sweep of visiting Ferrum College on a sunny Saturday afternoon at Jack Ingram Field.
Senior Kali Morton dominated on Saturday, fanning 10 Ferrum hitters over five innings of work to help power the No. 18 Pfeiffer Falcons past the Panthers 9-1.
In addition to her 10 strikeouts, Morton (8-0) threw five innings, giving up one run on three hits and walking two for Pfeiffer (19-0).
At the plate, the Falcons were paced by junior Alyssa Broaddus, who went 1-for-2 on the day with a home run and four RBI.
Broaddus round-tripper was an extremely rare inside-the-park hit. What made it even more interesting is that it was also a grand slam. Broaddus lifted a hard-hit ball to left field that got past the Ferrum left fielder. Broaddus raced around the bases and got the go-ahead from head coach Monte Sherrill. Broaddus hustled down the third base line and made it safely to accomplish the rare feat.
Junior Gracie Griffin put together a noteworthy effort as well, going 2-for-2 with two doubles and an RBI. Junior Kenzi Lyall also chipped in for Pfeiffer, putting together two hits in three trips to the plate while adding two RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Falcons were trailing 1-0 in the first inning when they first put runs on the board. Pfeiffer got a grand slam from Broaddus off of W. Thomas, scoring all four of their runs in the inning.
The Falcons then held the Panthers scoreless before getting back on the board the very next inning. Pfeiffer picked up two runs in the frame, the big hit being an RBI double from Griffin, which brought the score to 6-1 in favor of the Falcons.
Pfeiffer kept Ferrum without a run before building their lead to 8-1 the following inning. The Falcons added two runs when a single from Lyall brought home sophomore Charly Cooper and freshman Kyler Perdue.
Pfeiffer held the Panthers without a run before their offense got back in action the next inning. Junior Abbie Yarboro crossed home plate with the lone run of the inning for the Falcons, bringing the score to 9-1 in favor of Pfeiffer. The score remained 9-1 for the rest of the game, as the Falcons coasted to the win.
GAME NOTES
» Morton struck out 10 Panthers hitters.
» The Falcons power output was led by Griffin, who picked up two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Broaddus drove in four runs for Pfeiffer.
» Pfeiffer's highest scoring inning was the first, when it pushed four runs across.
» Pfeiffer took a 4-1 lead in the bottom half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» The Falcons out-hit the Panthers at an 11-3 clip.
» Perdue stole two bases in Saturday's game.
» Pfeiffer went 3-for-9 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
» Pfeiffer pitchers limited Ferrum to just 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
» Pfeiffer pitchers faced 20 Ferrum hitters in the game, allowing two ground balls and two fly balls while striking out 10.
» Broaddus led the Falcons at the plate, going 1-for-2 with a home run and four RBI.
» Ferrum was led offensively by B. Michaels, who went 1-for-2.
» K. Atkins led the Panthers pitching staff, throwing two innings of three-run ball.
GAME 2
No. 18 Pfeiffer def. Ferrum, 8-0
In game two, juniors Kenzi Lyall and Emma Bullin combined to throw a shutout.
Lyall started in the circle for Pfeiffer (20-0), going three shutout innings while giving up two hits, walking none, and striking out three. Bullin (4-0) picked up the win out of the bullpen and went three shutout innings, allowing two hits, walking none and striking out two.
At the plate, the Falcons were led by junior Alyssa Broaddus, who went 3-for-3 on the day with two doubles and an RBI. Sophomore Charly Cooper put together a standout effort as well, going 2-for-3 with two RBI. Junior Gracie Griffin also chipped in for Pfeiffer, putting together one hit in two trips to the plate while adding three RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Falcons took the lead for good in the first, scoring for the first time in the inning. Pfeiffer's offense started clicking and put up four runs, including a one-run single off the bat of Cooper.
The Falcons also added runs in four more innings on the way to the 8-0 victory.
GAME NOTES
» Lyall and Bullin combined to throw a four-hit shutout.
» Broaddus had three base knocks in the game for Pfeiffer.
» The Falcons power output was led by Broaddus, who picked up two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Pfeiffer's highest scoring inning was the first, when it pushed four runs across.
» Pfeiffer grabbed a 4-0 lead in the bottom half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» Four Falcons had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» The Falcons out-hit the Panthers at a 14-4 clip.
» Junior Abbie Yarboro stole two bases in Saturday's game.
» The Falcons stole six bases as a team.
» Pfeiffer went 6-for-17 (.353) with runners in scoring position.
» Pfeiffer pitchers faced 21 Ferrum hitters in the game, allowing five ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out five.
» Broaddus led the Falcons at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI.
» Ferrum was led offensively by B. Weaver, who went 1-for-3.
Next Game
The Falcons will open defense of their USA South regular season title on Saturday, March 23 with a road trip to N.C. Wesleyan. First pitch in Rocky Mount, N.C. is slated for 1:00 p.m. at NCWU's Edge Field.
