MISENHEIMER, N.C. -- The No. 21 Pfeiffer University softball team claimed the USA South Regular Season Title by virtue of their doubleheader sweep of Brevard College at a warm Jack Ingram Field on Saturday afternoon.
The pair of wins, coupled with a Greensboro split with William Peace, gave Pfeiffer their fifth-straight USA South regular season title. Pfeiffer will host the upcoming USA South Tournament, May 1-3.
The Falcons got contributions from every part of their lineup, as all nine starters reached base safely in the five-inning win.
Senior Emma Bullin (21-4) got the win for Pfeiffer (27-7, 15-0). The right-hander went three innings, giving up one run on five hits, allowing no walks and striking out two. Freshman Reese Caranna also pitched well, going one shutout inning while allowing one hit.
Offensively, the Falcons were paced by freshman Natalie Auman, who went 1-for-3 on the day with a home run and three RBI. Senior Gracie Griffin put together a standout performance at the dish as well, going 3-for-4 with three RBI. Bullin also chipped in for Pfeiffer, putting together three hits in three trips to the plate while adding a walk and two RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Falcons were trailing 1-0 in the third inning when they first put runs on the board. Pfeiffer's offense started clicking and put up eight runs, including a three-run home run off the bat of Auman.
The Tornados then gained ground, narrowing the lead to 8-2 until the Falcons expanded their advantage in the fourth. The Pfeiffer offense exploded for six runs, highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of Griffin, which brought the Falcons lead to 14-2. The score remained 14-2 for the rest of the game, as Pfeiffer coasted to the win.
GAME NOTES
» Pfeiffer got three-hit games from both Bullin and Griffin.
» Every Pfeiffer starter reached base safely in the win.
» Pfeiffer's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed eight runs across.
» Five Falcons had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» The Falcons had a total of 18 hits.
» The Falcons out-hit the Tornados at an 18-8 clip.
» Junior Landry Stewart stole three bases and sophomore Ky Perdue swiped two in Saturday's game.
» The Falcons stole nine bases as a team.
» Pfeiffer went 11-for-18 (.611) with runners in scoring position.
» Pfeiffer pitchers faced 25 Brevard hitters in the game, allowing four ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out four.
» Auman led the Falcons at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a home run and three RBI.
» Brevard was led offensively by senior Karley Queen, who went 2-for-3 with an RBI.
» Sophomore Logan Masinsky led the Tornados pitching staff, throwing one inning of six-run ball.
GAME 2 | No. 21 Pfeiffer 3, Brevard 0
In game two, Bullin tossed a two-hit shutout to lead the No. 21 Pfeiffer Falcons over the Brevard Tornados 3-0.
Bullin (22-4) went the distance for Pfeiffer (27-7, 16-0), giving up just two hits, walking one and striking out five.
In the batter's box, the Falcons were led by junior Landry Stewart, who went 2-for-3 on the day with two RBI. Bullin furnished a standout performance at the plate as well, going 2-for-3 with a double. Senior Gracie Griffin also chipped in for Pfeiffer, putting together one hit in one trip to the plate while adding two walks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Falcons took the lead for good in the fourth, scoring for the first and only time in the inning. Pfeiffer scored three runs in the frame, highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of Stewart.
GAME NOTES
» Bullin tossed a two-hit shutout for the Falcons.
» Bullin struck out five Tornados hitters.
» Pfeiffer's highest scoring inning was the fourth, when it pushed three runs across.
» The Falcons out-hit the Tornados at a 5-2 clip.
» Stewart stole two bases in Saturday's game.
» Pfeiffer pitchers faced 24 Brevard hitters in the game, allowing five ground balls and 11 fly balls while striking out five.
» The Falcons drew four walks from Brevard pitching.
» Stewart led the Falcons at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two RBI.
» Brevard was led offensively by freshman Addison Smith, who went 1-for-3 with a double.
» Junior Elizabeth Auciello led the Tornados pitching staff, throwing six innings of three-run ball.
Up Next
The Falcons will close the regular season with a Sunday afternoon trip to rival Greensboro College. First pitch at Barber Park is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
