VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (May 16, 2026) — Top-seeded Virginia Wesleyan edged Pfeiffer 3-2 in an NCAA Regional matchup Saturday at TowneBank Park, ending the Falcons' season in the NCAA Tournament.

Pfeiffer ffinished the year at 40-11 overall, while the Marlins remained a perfect 48-0 and moved on to the NCAA Super Regionals.

The host Marlins broke a 1-1 tie with a two-run third inning and made the slim lead hold up behind a complete-game effort from right-hander Hannah Hearl.

The Marlins opened the scoring in the second when Laci Campbell delivered a two-out RBI single. Pfeiffer answered in the third, as Landry Stewart reached on a bunt single, stole second and scored on Heather Vaughn's RBI single to tie the game.

Virginia Wesleyan responded immediately in the bottom of the inning. Morgan Tucker singled and Taylor McQueen drew a walk to set the table before Alison Pollack lined an RBI double into the gap. A wild pitch later in the inning brought home another run, pushing the Marlins in front 3-1.

That would be enough for Hearl (25-0), who limited Pfeiffer to six hits and one earned run while striking out six and walking one in a complete-game performance.

Pfeiffer had chances but struggled to capitalize, leaving six runners on base and striking out six times.

The Falcons mounted a final push in the seventh. Ky Perdue reached and eventually scored on an RBI single by Stewart, trimming the deficit to one. But the tying run was left stranded.

Stewart and Vaughn led the Falcons offensively with two hits apiece. Stewart also drove in a run and stole a base, while Vaughn added an RBI. [pfeiffered...epoint.com]

Pfeiffer freshman starter Abigail Bowman (19-7) took the loss after allowing three runs over two innings. Mollie Bulla turned in four shutout innings of relief to keep the Falcons within striking distance.

Campbell paced Virginia Wesleyan with two hits and an RBI, while Pollack's third-inning double proved decisive.


2026 NCAA Softball Regional Hosted by Virginia Wesleyan University All-Tournament Team

Most Outstanding Player - Hannah Hearl (VWU)
VWU - Samantha Deitsch
VWU - Alison Pollack
VWU -  Sarah Prosser
Pfeiffer - Mollie Bulla
Pfeiffer - Landry Stewart
Pfeiffer - Brooke Piper
Manhattanville - Emma Foster
Manhattanville - Jori Wilkendorf
John Jay - Kendal Bryant