NEWPORT NEWS, Va. --Junior Emma Chopko racked up four hits to help the No. 13 Pfeiffer Falcons eliminate the Ramapo Roadrunners from the NCAA Division III Softball Regional by a 10-3 score on Friday afternoon in Newport News, Va..
Senior pitcher Kali Morton (25-1) started in the circle and picked up the win for Pfeiffer (45-3). The right-hander went seven innings, giving up three runs, all of them earned, on eight hits, allowing two walks and striking out five.
Of her four hits, Chopko had a double and three RBI to lead the Falcons. Junior Kenzi Lyall compiled a noteworthy performance at the dish as well, going 3-for-5 with a double, a home run and a pair of RBI. Junior Gracie Griffin also helped out for Pfeiffer, putting together one hit in four trips to the plate, hitting a double and three RBI.
Griffin's double set broke Pfeiffer's single-season mark previously help by All-American's Vada Sherrill and Makenzie Pennell. Griffin now has 19 doubles this season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Falcons got the scoring started early, putting two runs on the board in the top of the first inning. Pfeiffer scored three runs in the frame, highlighted by a two-RBI double from Griffin.
The Roadrunners failed to push any runs across before the Falcons built on their lead in the fourth inning. Pfeiffer scored twice on Lyall's two-run homer, which brought the Falcons lead to 5-0.
Pfeiffer kept Ramapo scoreless before expanding their lead to 7-0 the following inning. The Falcons drove two runs across on a two-run double from Chopko that brought home freshman Kyler Perdue and Lyall.
The Roadrunners gained ground, closing the gap to 7-1 until Pfeiffer added some insurance in the seventh. bringing the score to 10-1 in favor of Pfeiffer. Ramapo put two runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but the Falcons still coasted to the 10-3 win.
GAME NOTES
» Pfeiffer's 45 wins sets a new USA South record for wins in a season, previously held by Piedmont (43 wins)
» Chopko collected four hits on the day for Pfeiffer.
» Morton struck out five Roadrunners hitters.
» The Falcons power output was led by Lyall, who had two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Every Pfeiffer starter reached base safely in the win.
» Pfeiffer's highest scoring inning was the seventh, when it pushed three runs across.
» Pfeiffer grabbed a 3-0 lead in the top half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» The Falcons had a total of 16 hits.
» The Falcons out-hit the Roadrunners at a 16-8 clip.
» Perdue stole two bases in Friday's game.
» Pfeiffer went 6-for-16 (.375) with runners in scoring position.
» Pfeiffer pitchers limited Ramapo to just 1-for-10 (.100) with runners in scoring position.
» Pfeiffer pitchers faced 32 Ramapo hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out five.
» The Falcons drew four walks from Ramapo pitching.
» Lyall led the Falcons at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a double, a home run and two RBI.
» Ramapo was led offensively by junior Katie Rygiel, who went 1-for-4 with a home run and an RBI.
» Sophomore Kassy Stefanski led the Roadrunners pitching staff, throwing three innings of three-run ball.
UP NEXT
Pfeiffer advances to face host and top-seeded Christopher Newport in the championship of the NCAA Regional. First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 18.
This story created through content automation technology from Data Skrive.
