Misenheimer, NC - The Avenging Angels softball team split with Pfeiffer University on Wednesday, giving the Falcons their first USA South Conference loss.  Meredith took game one 6-4 but the Falcons fought back from a 10-1 deficit in game two to secure the split.  The Angels moved to 16-6 on the season, 5-3 in the USA South Conference. Pfeiffer is now 20-7, 7-1 in the USA South.

Game 1 - Meredith 6, Pfeiffer 4

The Avenging Angels started the scoring early, plating two runs in the top of the first inning.  Sarah Manis reached on a double to left field and scored on Madi Hamilton's line drive single up the middle.  Hamilton then advanced to third on Anna Goldman's double to left field.  After a quick pitching change, Alyssa Drake scored Hamilton on a sacrifice fly to right field to give the Angels a 2-0 lead. 

In the bottom of the first inning, Falcons pitcher Ashlyn Kennedy reached on a lead off single, but would be thrown out later in the inning by sophomore catcher Savannah Talley.  Sarah Gundlach started off strong, getting two strikeouts in the first inning.

Both teams would go quietly in the second inning, but the Falcons threatened on a blast to center field that was robbed and brought back in by center fielder Alyssa Drake. 

After Meredith stranded two runners in the top of the third inning, the Falcons would even the score at 2-2 in the bottom of the third.  The Angels answered right back, scoring three more runs in the top half of the fourth.  Savannah Talley got things started with a leadoff walk, and was moved to second by Susanne Taylor's sacrifice bunt. After another pitching change for the Falcons, Jessie Woller singled to centerfield, moving Talley to third.  Pinch hitter Brie Caldwell singled to right field to score Talley.  Woller scored on Sarah Manis' infield single and Anna Goldman pushed one more across for the Angels with a sacrifice fly to deep center field.

The Falcons scored an unearned run in the bottom of the fifth inning, to bring the score to 5-3.  The Angels answered back again in the top of the seventh.  Fallon Wimberly reached on a fielder's choice and Victoria Negron came in to pinch run.  Talley walked, advancing Negron to second base.  Negron would score on Susanne Taylor's single up the middle.

Sarah Gundlach secured the 6-4 win for Meredith in the bottom of the seventh inning, despite letting up a home run to Mattie Hinson.  Gundlach allowed three earned runs on eight hits while striking out seven. The Avenging Angels outhit the Falcons 13-8 in the contest.

Game Two - Meredith 10, Falcons 11

The Angels bats came alive again in game 2, going up 10-1 early in the game.  The Angels once again out hit the Falcons 12-6, but eight walks and timely hitting helped Pfeiffer battle back from the huge early deficit to defeat the Angels 11-10 on a walk off homerun in the bottom of the seventh inning.  Live stats and video feed were unavailable in game two.  More details will be posted once stat files are available.

The Avenging Angels return home on Saturday to continue USA South play as they take on the Methodist Monarchs.  First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 pm.