Pfeiffer Pulls Away to Eliminate Manhattanville, 7-2 in NCAA Regional action
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (May 15, 2026) – Pfeiffer used a blend of speed, timely hitting and a complete-game pitching performance from Mollie Bulla to secure a 7-2 victory to eliminate Manhattanville in Game 5 of the NCAA Softball Regional on Friday afternoon.
The Falcons (40-10) struck early and never looked back, scoring in six of seven innings while piling up 12 hits and creating constant pressure on the bases.
Pfeiffer set the tone in the opening frame when Landry Stewart ignited the offense with a walk and subsequent steal before Brooke Piper delivered an RBI single up the middle for a 1-0 lead. The Falcons widened the gap in the second inning, capitalizing on control issues from Manhattanville starter Tahlia Smith. After loading the bases, Bulla helped her cause by lining a two-run single to center to push the advantage to 3-0.
Aggressive baserunning remained a constant theme. Pfeiffer swiped nine bases in the game, including four by Stewart, who also scored twice and reached base four times. The Falcons' speed repeatedly put runners in scoring position and forced Manhattanville into difficult defensive situations.
Pfeiffer added another run in the third on an RBI single from Ky Perdue, then extended the lead further in the fourth. Kirstyn Herman, who finished 3-for-4, delivered an RBI hit before another run crossed on a defensive miscue, pushing the margin to 6-1.
Manhattanville (36-10) showed signs of life in the middle innings. Isabella Tansey drove in a run with a single in the third, and Emma Foster later connected on a solo home run—accounting for both Valiants runs. However, that was as close as they would get.
Bulla took care of the rest in the circle. The Pfeiffer right-hander threw a complete game, allowing two runs on eight hits with just one walk while striking out four on 99 pitches. She consistently induced ground balls and limited extra-base damage, surrendering only the lone home run.
The Falcons added an insurance run in the sixth on a sacrifice fly from Charly Cooper, closing out the scoring and reinforcing their control of the game.
Beyond Herman's three-hit performance, Piper added two hits and an RBI, while Bulla contributed two RBIs at the plate. Pfeiffer's lineup produced seven RBIs overall and drew seven walks, showcasing both depth and discipline.
With the win, Pfeiffer advanced in the regional bracket and will take on the national top-seed and host Virginia Wesleyan at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 16.
Softball Trounces John Jay, Advances in NCAA Regional
Virginia Beach, Va. (May 15, 2026) — Pfeiffer put together an emphatic offensive performance and received dominant pitching to roll past John Jay College, 13–0, in five innings during NCAA Tournament action on Friday, eliminating the Bloodhounds
The Falcons scored in every inning and never allowed the Bloodhounds to find rhythm, finishing with 13 runs on 10 hits while playing error-free defense. John Jay managed just two hits and committed three errors in the run-rule shortened contest.
Fast start sets the tone
Pfeiffer wasted no time taking control in the opening inning.
Landry Stewart ignited the offense by drawing a leadoff walk, promptly stealing multiple bases, and eventually scoring on a throwing error.
Brooke Piper followed later in the frame with an RBI single, and another run crossed on a wild pitch to make it 3–0.
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That aggressive approach on the bases became a theme throughout the game. The Falcons piled up 12 stolen bases, constantly pressuring the John Jay battery and forcing mistakes.
Power surge in the middle innings
Pfeiffer added to its lead in the second inning behind a mix of speed and power. After more baserunning havoc, Piper delivered the biggest swing of the game—a two-run home run to left field—to extend the advantage.
The Falcons broke things open in the third. With two outs and the bases loaded,
Mollie Bulla ripped a double to left field that cleared the bases and pushed the margin firmly into run-rule territory.
Piling it On
Pfeiffer tacked on two more runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to complete the rout. Highlighting the late scoring were a two-run double from Micah Felts in the fourth and run-scoring extra-base hits from E.A. Nance (triple) and Camryn Kaminski (double) in the fifth.
Standout Performances
Brooke Piper led the offensive charge, going 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBIs, and two runs scored.
Bulla made a major impact both at the plate and in the circle, driving in three runs with a double and tossing four shutout innings while allowing just two hits.
At the top of the lineup, Stewart set the tone with three runs scored and four stolen bases, while
Ky Perdue added two runs and three steals.
Nance chipped in two hits, including a triple and RBI, as Pfeiffer's lineup produced up and down the order.
In the Circle
Bulla worked the first four innings without allowing a run while Peyton Lane finished the game to complete the two-hit shutout. The Falcons also turned a pair double plays behind their pitchers
John Jay's lone bright spot came from Kendal Bryant, who accounted for both hits while recording a double.
By the numbers
- Pfeiffer: 13 runs, 10 hits, 0 errors
- John Jay: 0 runs, 2 hits, 3 errors
- Pfeiffer scored in all five innings (3-3-3-2-2) [pfeiffered...epoint.com]
Tournament Implications
With the decisive win, Pfeiffer staves off elimination and will advance to take on Manhattanville, who fell to host VWU, 6-0 earlier in the day.
John Jay's season comes to an end, with the Bloodhounds finishing at 18-22 overall and champions of the CUNYAC.