Falcons softball sweeps Wilkes, moves to 8-0; Sherrill sets new hits record
Published 4:14 pm Monday, March 4, 2019
The Pfeiffer softball team used the long ball and strong pitching to improve to 8-0 on the season with a doubleheaders weep of Wilkes on Sunday. Four home runs lifted the Falcons to a 7-0 win in the first game while an early run was all Pfeiffer needed in the nightcap, winning 1-0.
In the opening game, Pfeiffer started off with a bang as Vada Blue Sherrill took the second pitch she saw and deposited it deep down the left field line to put Pfeiffer up 1-0. The solo shot for Sherrill was her 193rd career hit, setting a new record for the softball program.
After a groundout, Makenzie Pennell blasted another home run for the Falcons in almost the identical spot of Sherrill’s blast, putting Pfeiffer up 2-0.
Pfeiffer got two more runs in the third inning thanks to another home run, this time a two-run shot from starting pitcher Kiana Millsaps, putting the Falcons up 4-0.
In the fifth inning Pennell blasted her second round-tripper of the game, giving the Falcons the 5-0 lead. The cushion grew to 6-0 following an RBI single from Reece Davis, which plated Alexis Walter.
The Falcons capped the scoring in the sixth inning, this time coming off a Pennell sacrifice which scored Sherrill.
Wilkes managed one hit in the game and was retired in order in the seventh, all strikeouts from Pfeiffer reliever Emerson Puzey.
Millsaps would earn the win, as she pitched five innings, allowing one hit and with six strikeouts.
The second game saw Sherrill scored the only run of the game in the Falcon half of the first inning. After reaching on a walk, she quickly stole second and third base. Following a walk by Kiana Millsaps, Kari Westerbeek singled to second base, driving in Sherrill for the lone run of the game.
Wilkes threatened in the sixth inning, putting runners on second and third with no outs, but Pfeiffer’s defense came through, forcing a groundout to first base for the first out of the inning. Following an intentional walk to load the bases, the Falcons were able to force a slow roller to the pitcher, who flipped to home for the force out, the second of the inning. The final out came when Millsaps struck out Madison Ensley to end the threat.
Pfeiffer then was able to force three groundouts to end the game, winning 1-0.
The Falcons hit the road for a twinbill at Ferrum on Sunday at 1 p.m.