Pfeiffer Takes Pair from Tornados

Pfeiffer Takes Pair from Tornados

MEISENHEIMER, N.C. – Pfeiffer wrapped up its softball doubleheader clash with Brevard by completing a sweep (4-9, 0-0) after limiting the Tornados to two hits in the second game on Thursday.

Ricki Kuhn (1-2) and Brittan Miller (1-2) were the only Tornados to record hits in the 9-0 setback in game two. Brevard fell to 5-7 on the season following the sweep.

The Falcons (22-2) extended their winning streak to 11 games after receiving two RBI from Sara Brown, who went 1-for-2 from the plate. Brown was one of five Pfeiffer hitters to record at least one hit, including Stephanie Fortner (1-3), Makenzie Pennell (1-3, RBI), Chandler Walker (1-2, run) and Carson Watkins (1-2, run).

Kennedy Lester (8-0) maintained her perfect record on the mound for the Falcons, tossing four innings, allowing one hit, walking three Tornado batters while striking out two. Kyndle Wallace finished off the game by going one inning, allowing one hit, one walk and converting one strikeout.

Pfeiffer manufactured four runs in the first inning, scoring its first run when Vada Blue Sherrill came home from second base on a double to left by Fortner. Three batters later, with bases loaded following a walk by Kiana Millsaps and a fielder's choice by Chandler Walker, Amanda Sports brought home Fortner from third for the 2-0 Pfeiffer lead.

Sara Brown doubled the lead to 4-0 with a single up the middle, plating both Millsaps and Walker in the process.

The lead grew to five runs in the second after a walk and stolen base by Vada Blue Sherrill put a runner at second for the Falcons. Two batters later, with Sherrill at third, Pennell delivered a single up the middle to score the fifth run of the game.

The Falcons came through with their second multi-run inning of the contest in the third, beginning with a leadoff single by Walker. Walker motored to second with a stolen base and eventually third, following a fielder's choice by Brown, before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Bailey Sherrill.

Watkins extended the inning with a single to right, advancing Brown to third, ahead of Vada Blue Sherrill loading the bases with a walk. Fortner reached base on an error at second, allowing Watkins and Brown to score in the process, as the Falcons assumed an 8-0 lead.

The final Pfeiffer run crossed the plate in the fourth when Sarah Bowles reached base on a fielding error at second base. Westerbeek pinch hit for Walker and Mackenzie Swetnam took over running duties for Bowles at second as the Falcon baserunner slid into third on a wild pitch by Elizabeth Traxler. Westerbeek followed with a grounder to second, scoring Swetnam for the final run of the contest.

GAME 1: Pfeiffer 4, Brevard 0

A three-run second inning proved to be the difference as Pfeiffer became the first team this season to shut out the Brevard softball team, posting a 4-0 win in the opening game of the doubleheader.

Pfeiffer's Kiana Millsaps limited the Tornado offense to one three hits, surrendering one walk and making eight strikeouts as she improved to 14-2 on the season.

Seven players in the Falcon lineup recorded at least one hit, including Vada Blue Sherrill who finished 2-for-4 with two RBI. Vada Blue Sherrill recorded the only extra-base hit of the game, a double, while her sister Bailey Sherrill and Kari Westerbeek notched the remaining RBI.

Three different Tornados had a hit on the day, including Paige Atkison (1-3), Olivia Pauldin (1-3) and Sara Lalier (1-2). Breanna Allen (2-3) dropped her third game of the season after surrendering eight hits, four runs, one earned run in six innings on the mound.

Amanda Sports lifted a one-out single to left and Westerbeek reached base with a fielding error at second that advanced Sports in the process. Sara Brown followed with a single to left, loading the bases for Bailey Sherrill.

Bailey Sherrill sent a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Sports from third, and Vada Blue Sherrill extended the inning with a double down the left field line to plate Brown and Westerbeek for the 3-0 lead.

The Falcon offense added its final run in the third inning when Millsaps and Makenzie Pennell recorded back-to-back singles. Pennell advanced to second when Sports reached on a fielder's choice. Westerbeek followed in the lineup with a single to left, scoring Pennell in the process, to make for Pfeiffer's 4-0 advantage.

The Tornados continue their road trip this weekend when they head to Huntingdon for a doubleheader with the Hawks on March 24 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.