MISENHEIMER, N.C. --- Pfeiffer University swept a non-conference softball doubleheader from Tusculum College Saturday afternoon, winning the opener 8-4 and capturing game two in five innings by a score of 8-0.
The Pioneers (14-12) were scheduled to return to action Sunday afternoon at Limestone, but the twinbill has ben postponed due to the threat of rain. A makeup date has not been determined.
Game 1: Pfeiffer 8, Tusculum 4 - box score
Rachel Crowder went 4-for-4 with two runs scored and Chandler
Walker went 3-for-3 with three runs batted in as the Falcons
finished with 13 hits in the game. Vada Blue Sherrill went 2-for-3
with a double, stolen base and three runs scored as Pfeiffer built
a 6-0 lead after three innings.
Robin Stoner went 2-for-4 with an RBI and Jordan Keene was 2-for-3 with a run scored for the Pioneers, who had nine hits as a team in the game. Treslyn Reese reached in all three of her plate appearances with two hits and a walk.
Pfeiffer scored two runs in the bottom of the first against Pioneer starter Eliza Davis (7-6) on a bases-loaded walk to Walker and a double-play groundout. In the third, the Falcons added four runs on an RBI double by Crowder, a two-run single by Jessica Jackson and an RBI single by Anna Lauren Brafford to go on top 6-0.
The Pioneers got on the board against Falcon starter Kennedy Lester in the fourth as Stoner singled with two outs, Keene followed with a single and Emily Hester came through with another single to drive home pinch-runner Taylor Lewis. Jenna Restivo also had an RBI single that brought home Keene and cut the Pfeiffer lead to 6-2.
The Falcons tacked on a run in the fourth against Pioneer reliever Taylor Plemons on an RBI single by Walker, and pushed across another run in the sixth on an RBI double from Walker to go on top 8-2.
Tusculum came through with two runs in the seventh as Reese and Morgan Ward opened the inning with singles, and Carolyn Williamson brought home pinch-runner Emily White with a groundout. Stoner followed with an RBI single to bring home Ward and pull the Pioneers within 8-4, but Lester retired the side on a groundout to end the game.
Lester (7-7) allowed four runs (three earned) for the Falcons, striking out four and walking two. Davis (7-6) pitched three innings for the Pioneers, surrendering six earned runs on seven hits with three walks and a strikeout. Plemons tossed the final three innings for Tusculum, giving up two earned runs on six hits and striking out one.
Game 2: Pfeiffer 8, Tusculum 0 (5 innings) - box score
Walker continued her hot hitting at the plate for the Falcons,
going 3-for-3 with a double and a run scored, while Sherrill
finished 3-for-4 with a double, three runs scored and a game-ending
home run in the fifth inning.
Sydney Poole (3-0) allowed just two hits to the Pioneers in five innings, with two strikeouts and one walk. Cayla Cecil (5-3) took the loss for the Pioneers after giving up seven runs (two earned) on seven hits in 1 2/3 innings, with two walks.
The Falcons scored a run in the first inning on an error, then plated six runs in the second on a steal of home, an RBI single by Kiana Millsaps, an RBI single by Jackson, a sacrifice fly by Brafford and a two-run double from Bailey Sherrill.
Tusculum put two runners on base in the third on a walk to Ward and a bunt single by Taylor Battle, but a groundout and a fly out ended the threat. In the fifth, Sherrill hit a two-out home run to give the Falcons the 8-0 win.
In addition to Battle, the Pioneers' other hit came off the bat of Williamson in the top of the first inning. Plemons came on in relief in the second and allowed two hits and one earned run in three innings of work, with one strikeout and no walks.
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