Pfeiffer softball pitcher throws no-hitter as Falcons sweep Meredith
Pfeiffer University swept both ends of a nonconference softball doubleheader against Meredith College on Sunday afternoon at Jack Ingram Field. Junior pitcher Caiti Mickles tossed a completed-game no-hitter in game one to lead the Falcons
In Game 1, junior Caiti Mickles (Boonville, N.C.) was brilliant in the circle, as she allowed just two base runners in tossing her first career collegiate no-hitter and the first one in recent memory for the Falcons (13-8).
Meredith (6-16) threatened in the first inning after getting runners in scoring position following a Falcon error and a passed ball, however, Mickles shut down the Angels with a strikeout to end the inning. From that point, Mickles issued just one walk the rest of the way (third inning). She retired the last nine batters she faced in earning the no-hitter.
The Falcon bats aided Mickles pitching performance, scoring three runs in the first. The first run came on a bases-loaded walk, then a two-RBI single from Taylor Parrish (Rockingham, N.C.) put Pfeiffer ahead 3-0.
In the sixth, Parrish hit a solo home run to make it 4-0 followed by a two-RBI single from Sarah Bowles (Thomasville, N.C.) and an Ellie McHone (Lowgap, N.C.) RBI single, making it 7-0. Hannah Tyner (Carthage, N.C.) would then deliver an RBI single up the middle for the 8-0 walk-off win.
In game two, Pfeiffer grabbed the 1-0 lead in the third inning when Parrish delivered an RBI single that scored senior Makenzie Pennell (Taylorsville, N.C.). Mickles then smashed a three-run shot over the center field fence to put Pfeiffer up 4-0 in the fifth inning. Parrish got another RBI single in the sixth to makei it 5-0 and Ashlyn Kennedy (New London, N.C.) capped the scoring when she scampered home from third on a wild pitch in the sixth for the 6-0 lead.
Parrish improved to 5-2 on the season as she pitched a complete game, allowing just two hits while striking out a pair of Meredith batters.
Pfeiffer will head to Greensboro College this upcoming Friday to complete a USA South game that was suspended with the two teams tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the third inning on March 27 due to rain.