(MISENHEIMER, NC) - The 2024 USA South Softball Tournament has drawn to a close with top-seeded Pfeiffer capturing the championship for the second consecutive year. In the best-of-three championship series, the Falcons swept second-seeded Greensboro, with 4-2 and 3-1 victories.
In the first game, Pfeiffer jumped on Greensboro early with a run in the first inning which held up until the Pride tied things up in the top of the sixth frame. The Falcons answered back and went on top thanks to a Gracie Griffin home run followed by two insurance scores. Pfeiffer would need those runs as Greensboro scored once in the top of the seventh and had the bases loaded before Emma Bullin secured the win with a save in the circle. Kali Morton got the victory thanks to tossing 6.1 innings.
In game two, the Falcons were the visiting team on the scoreboard and notched two runs in their first at-bats which were answered by one run from the Pride in the bottom half of the inning. The score remained 2-1 until Pfeiffer tacked on a run in the top-half of the sixth inning on a Emma Chopko home run. Bullin once again came on in relief to toss five scoreless innings, earn the victory, and give Pfeiffer the tournament title.
All-Tournament Team
P – Kali Morton, Pfeiffer (MVP)
P – Lauren Engel, Greensboro
C – Kelsey Craven, Greensboro
1B – Preston Hawkins, William Peace
2B – Emma Bullin, Pfeiffer
SS – M'Kenzie Davis, Greensboro
3B – Adanya Day, William Peace
UT/DP – Gracie Griffin, Pfeiffer
OF – Madison Dillner, Greensboro
OF – Mia Staggs, Meredith
OF – Alyssa Broaddus, Pfeiffer
2024 USA South Softball Tournament Results
Bracket #1 (hosted by Pfeiffer)
Thursday, May 2
Game 1: #8 William Peace - 1 #1 Pfeiffer - 9 (5 inn.)
Game 2: #5 Southern Virginia - 5 #4 Mary Baldwin - 6
Game 3: #8 William Peace - 12 #5 Southern Virginia - 5
Friday, May 3
Game 4: #1 Pfeiffer - 4 #4 Mary Baldwin - 1
Game 5: #8 William Peace - 13 #4 Mary Baldwin - 8 (10 inn.)
Game 6: #1 Pfeiffer - 8 #8 William Peace - 0 (5 inn.) (Pfeiffer advances to best-of-three championship series)
Bracket #2 (hosted by Greensboro)
Thursday, May 2
Game 1: #7 Meredith - 4 #2 Greensboro - 3
Game 2: #6 Methodist - 4 #3 N.C. Wesleyan - 6
Game 3: #2 Greensboro - 12 #6 Methodist - 2 (5 inn.)
Friday, May 3
Game 4: #7 Meredith - 2 #3 N.C. Wesleyan - 1
Game 5: #2 Greensboro - 3 #3 N.C. Wesleyan - 0
Game 6: #7 Meredith - 2 #2 Greensboro - 3
Tuesday, May 7
Game 7: #7 Meredith - 1 #2 Greensboro - 7 (Greensboro advances to best-of-three championship series)
Best-of-Three Championship Series (all games hosted by Pfeiffer)
Friday, May 10
Game 1: #2 Greensboro - 2 #1 Pfeiffer - 4
Game 2: #2 Greensboro - 1 #1 Pfeiffer - 3 (Pfeiffer wins the series, 2-0)