MISENHEIMER — After wrapping up the 2024 season with a 1.11 team ERA, the Pfeiffer Falcons softball team has been honored with its first-ever NCAA Statistical Champion Award for Lowest Team Earned Run Average.
Not only did the Falcons notch the lowest team ERA among NCAA Division III schools, but the team also had the lowest among all three divisions of NCAA competition; Boston University led all Division I schools with a 1.41 ERA as the University of Tampa finished with a 1.15 ERA atop Division II.
Pfeiffer posted a 45-4 overall record as it won its second-straight USA South Championship and achieved its second-consecutive NCAA Regional Tournament appearance.
On May 18, the Falcons’ postseason came to an end with a 6-4 loss to Christopher Newport in the NCAA Division III Regional; Pfeiffer went 2-2 in the NCAA Tournament, defeating John Jay and Ramapo but also picking up losses to Ramapo and Christopher Newport.
Despite the playoff losses, the Falcons still had their best season so far in the team’s Division III era. The elite pitching staff of senior Kali Morton and juniors Emma Bullin, Gracie Griffin and Kenzi Lyall each performed their own role in keeping the team’s ERA down to the 1.11 mark.
In 32 appearances, Morton — the 2024 USA South Softball Tournament MVP — was dominant for Pfeiffer as she excelled to a 25-2 overall record, 1.13 ERA, and 26 earned runs in 161 innings pitched.
In June, Morton was named as one of 56 players on the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III All-America Team.
“I love my team so much. I’m so proud of them and I think we did a great job this year,” Morton said after two-straight wins over Greensboro in the USA South Championship Series. “The team as a whole is great. I love our dynamic and our chemistry is wonderful…Our pitching staff is lights out and I think we’re the complete package.”
As the ace pitcher on the team’s roster, Morton had some valuable assistance from the rest of the Falcon pitchers.
Bullin had a 7-1 record, team-best four saves and 1.46 ERA in 52.2 innings, while Griffin allowed no runs and only one hit in her single appearance of the season.
With a 13-1 record, Lyall completed the season with a 0.88 ERA in 21 appearances.
Head coach Monte Sherrill is set to return for his 10th season with the Falcons in 2025.