Pfeiffer Drops Doubleheader at Mary Baldwin
GROTTOES, Va. — Pfeiffer University saw late offensive surges in both games, but early damage and defensive miscues proved costly as the Falcons dropped both ends of an Appalachian Athletic Conference doubleheader to Mary Baldwin University on Friday at Shifflett Field.
Game 1 – Mary Baldwin 15, Pfeiffer 9
Pfeiffer jumped out early, scoring twice in the top of the first inning, but Mary Baldwin answered immediately and broke the game open with a five-run fourth on its way to a 15–9 win in the opener.
The Falcons trailed 11–2 entering the eighth but showed fight with a five-run rally that included a solo home run from
Jack Brandle and a three-run blast by
Ben Mecimore. Pfeiffer
added two more runs in the ninth, but the deficit was too large to overcome.
Mecimore finished 1-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs, while Brandle was perfect at the plate (2-for-2) with a homer, two walks, and an RBI.
Austin Wood and
Levi Barrett each drove in a run as Pfeiffer totaled nine runs on nine hits.
Mary Baldwin's lineup capitalized on Pfeiffer errors and big innings. Camden Bauswell had a standout performance, going 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs, while Will Earnesty was a perfect 3-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. The host Squirrels scored in five different innings, including five runs in the fourth and four more in the eighth.
On the mound, Pfeiffer starter
James Eason was charged with the loss after allowing eight runs in 3.1 innings. Mary Baldwin's Lance Gowans earned the win, pitching 7.2 innings and allowing three earned runs.
Game 2 – Mary Baldwin 7, Pfeiffer 3
In the second game, Mary Baldwin used an early offensive burst to secure a 7–3 victory and complete the sweep, scoring all seven runs in the first three innings.
The Squirrels plated four runs in the opening frame and added two in the third to take control early. Pfeiffer pitching settled in after the rough start, but the Falcons were unable to generate enough timely offense to mount a comeback.
Pfeiffer got on the board in the fifth inning and added solo runs in the seventh and eighth.
Josh Jones and
Ben Mecimore each homered to account for two of the Falcons' runs, while Connor Coy added an RBI single.
Despite eight hits and six walks, Pfeiffer stranded 12 runners on base and struggled in key scoring opportunities. Mary Baldwin limited damage and closed out the game without allowing a ninth-inning rally.
Mary Baldwin collected 12 hits in the win and leaned on steady pitching after the early offense built a cushion.
Pfeiffer will look to rebound in the final game of the USA South regular season on Saturday, with first pitch scheduled for 10:00 a.m.
