MISENHEIMER — Pfeiffer’s softball team continued its successful run in USA South Athletic Conference play over the weekend, extending its winning streak to six games while positioning itself for another run at the league title.
The Falcons, who are chasing their fifth consecutive USA South regular-season championship and fourth straight conference tournament title, improved to 20-8 overall and 5-1 in league play.
Through the first stretch of conference action, Pfeiffer sits in third place but remains firmly in contention following a doubleheader sweep of Mary Baldwin on Saturday at Jack Ingram Field in Misenheimer.
Pfeiffer opened the day with a 13-1 victory in five innings, then followed with a 16-2 win in Game 2, overwhelming the Fighting Squirrels (5-18-1, 1-5 USA South) with consistent offense and quality pitching.
In the early game, the Falcons picked up four runs in the first inning and never looked back. Pfeiffer outhit Mary Baldwin 13-1, adding runs throughout the game before closing it out early.
Junior center fielder Landry Stewart led the charge, going 4-for-4 with three runs, a double and four stolen bases. Freshman utility player Heather Vaughn added a 3-for-3 performance with two runs and two RBIs, while sophomore pitcher Mollie Bulla contributed a two-run double at the plate.
Bulla also earned the win on the mound, allowing just one run on one hit across four innings.
Pfeiffer carried that momentum into Game 2, again scoring four runs in the first inning before erupting for four more in the second and eight in the third. The Falcons finished with 16 runs on 14 hits while holding Mary Baldwin to just one hit for the second straight game.
The team’s recent surge was further highlighted Monday when freshman E.A. Nance was named USA South Softball Rookie of the Week. The Cleveland native went 9-for-15 (.600) over six games last week, posting a .625 on-base percentage and 1.000 slugging percentage with seven runs scored and nine RBIs.
In conference sweeps of Southern Virginia and Mary Baldwin, Nance tallied six hits, six runs and six RBIs, including a home run.
Pfeiffer will look to extend its winning streak Saturday when it travels to Winston-Salem for a conference doubleheader against the Salem Spirits, who have won just one of their six conference games so far.