Eagle softball picks up pair of run rule wins over Pfeiffer

Carson-Newman shortstop Brittany Hefner (Talbot, Tenn) helped the Eagles break out the broomsticks Saturday at the Lady Eagle Softball Complex against Pfeiffer. The junior transfer from Walters State went four-for-six with two homers, a triple and seven RBI as the C-N defeated Pfeiffer 9-0 and 9-1.

Carson-Newman head coach Vickee Kazee-Hollifield had high praise for her junior infielder. “Brittany does it on both sides. Defensively, if a ball deflects off someone’s glove, she is there. She never quits on a play and with her arm, we have already turned a lot of double plays and she is a huge factor in that.”

Game one: C-N 9, PU 0 (5)

In the first game Hefner was a double short of hitting for the cycle as the Lady Eagles (4-0) cruised to a 9-0 win in five innings.

Hefner went three-for-three with two runs scored, a triple, homer and four runs driven in. Jessica Morgan (Ooltewah, Tenn.) was also three-for-three with an RBI and Bri Shoemake (Ooltewah, Tenn.) was two-for-three with a run batted in. Cassie Lyons improved to 2-0 with a complete-game two-hitter with one walk and two strikeouts.

Carson-Newman jumped on top 4-0 in the first inning. Braliegh Angel (Hixson, Tenn.) walked and eventually advanced to third base on a steal. Shoemake brought her home with a single to third. With two runners on, Henfer blasted a line drive home run to deep left field to blow the game wide open.

The Lady Eagles would add four more runs in the second. Morgan singled to center field to bring Natalie Sheffey (Johnson City, Tenn.) home. With the bases loaded, Elayna Siebert (Knoxville, Tenn.) reached base on an error and Angel scored. Sara Kelley (Ooltewah, Tenn.) had a two-run single to center field that plated Hefner and Morgan.

Carson-Newman would add one more run in the fourth. After Shoemake doubled to left center, Hefner brought her home by slapping a triple to center field to produce the 9-0 final.

Game two, C-N 9, PU 1 (5)

The Lady Eagles fell behind in game two but rallied to win 9-1. Pfeiffer (3-3) struck first when Jaclyn Boever smacked a solo shot to center field to put the Lady Falcons up 1-0 in the second.

Carson-Newman responded with two runs in the home half of the third inning. Sheffey stuck out but reached first base on the dropped third strike. She would score when Shoemake singled to left field. Angel scored on a fly-out to give C-N a 2-1 lead.

The Lady Eagles would explode for six runs in the fourth. Jessica Morgan drew a bases-loaded walk to bring Caitlyn Lance (East Ridge, Tenn.) home. Shoemake drove two in with a single to right field and then Hefner bombed out her second two-run homer of the day to make it 8-1.

The game would end on the mercy rule in the fifth when Hayley Burnette (Rossville, Ga.) doubled to right field to score Lance to produce the 9-1 final.

Freshman pitcher Kaitie Sims (Soddy-Daisy, Tenn.) picked up the win for Carson-Newman. She pitched four innings, gave up two hits, one run, two walks and three strikeouts. Lyons came in to close the game in the fifth.

Hollifield said her pitchers continue to play well early in the season.

“There is not a lot of games behind them so game experience is important right now. We have played four games and we are still learning there are certain pitches you don’t need to put in there or it’s gone. But I love that we are not giving up back-to-back hits and I am pleased with that,” Hollifield said.

Carson-Newman has run ruled its opponent in every game to start the season. It took 17.1 innings before C-N surrendered its first run of the year.

C-N plays host to King (Tenn.) Monday with a double header at 1 p.m. The Coca-Cola Eagle Sports Network’s Farm Bureau Countdown to First Pitch begins at 12:55 p.m.