MISENHEIMER, N.C. (March 1, 2026) — Pfeiffer jumped on Averett early with a four-run first inning and never looked back, riding a combined shutout from three pitchers in an 8-0 win on a warm Sunday afternoon at Joe Ferebee Field.

Junior right-hander Cayman Buck set the tone for the Falcons (3-7), tossing 6.2 scoreless innings while allowing six hits and striking out three. Josh Little closed the door with a perfect ninth, striking out two of the three batters he faced. The trio of Buck, Sam Safrit and Little scattered seven hits without allowing a run.

Pfeiffer capitalized on two Averett (4-6) errors in the opening frame. After back-to-back singles from Ben Mecimore and Badin Gusa, a throwing error loaded the bases. Jack Brandle followed with an RBI single, and Levi Barrett delivered a two-run hit to left, with another run scoring on an outfield error to put the Falcons up 4-0.

Brandle finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs, while Barrett and Ethan Willard each drove in two. Willard also had two hits and stole a base. Pfeiffer added runs in the fourth, sixth and seventh innings, including two unearned in the seventh after another Averett defensive miscue. The Cougars committed five errors, leading to multiple unearned runs.

Averett mustered seven singles but twice grounded into double plays and stranded nine runners. Drew Skinner and Tyler Lowe had two hits apiece for the Cougars. Starter Justin Godsey suffered the loss despite allowing only two earned runs across five innings.

The shutout marked Pfeiffer's strongest pitching performance of the season, as the Falcons needed just 120 pitches to complete the nine-inning win.

Pfeiffer will being a three-game series with RPI on Thursday, March 5 at 3:00 p.m. at Joe Ferebee Field.