It was a bittersweet ending for the entire softball team, but especially for Sarah Peterman.
The lone Tiger senior had just pitched her last game in an orange and black uniform. Finishing her career in top form, Peterman threw a 1-0 shutout against Maryland (28-29 overall, 3-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) on Saturday at 1895 Field.
Although Princeton (23-25 overall, 6-6 Ivy League) downed the Terrapins in both games of the doubleheader Saturday, those wins mean little in the long run, except to ease some of the pain of a disappointing season.
The second game saw more hits from both teams, but the same result, as the Tigers closed out their season with a 5-4 victory.
In the day's first game, Peterman's complete-game two-hitter earned her a third consecutive double-digit win season.
"It was nostalgic, particularly watching them play [in the second game]," Peterman said. "But I'm glad we played well in my last game."
Although the first game was a pitching masterpiece on Princeton's end, it was an error by the Terrapin pitcher that cost Maryland the win.
Maryland's hurler, Danielle Carpenter, gave up a single to sophomore designated player Sarah Jane White in the second inning. White then stole second and moved to third on a single by sophomore shortstop Kim Veenstra.
With only one out, junior catcher Vicki Siesta hit a grounder right back to the mound, but Carpenter overthrew first base, and White was able to score what turned out to be the game-winner.
Pressure
Things got tense again in the top of the seventh inning as the Terrapins sent the go-ahead run to the plate. A game-ending double play started by Veenstra kept the win safe for Peterman.
Maryland recovered quickly from the loss, however, and jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second game. The Tigers knotted the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the first on runs by junior center fielder Lori Volker and freshman second baseman Mackenzie Forsythe. Princeton then tallied a go-ahead run in the next inning.
Again, a throwing error by a Terrapin pitcher caused problems for Maryland. Princeton's first score came on an error by pitcher Amanda Bettker, while another error in the same inning plated Forsythe.
In the third inning, the Tigers added two more insurance runs — which they eventually would need as Maryland came back to add two more of its own in the top of the fourth.
Sophomore pitcher Brie Gali-cinao recorded the win, allowing just four hits and two earned runs over five innings. Galicinao also scored one of Princeton's five runs. White recorded the save, getting the last Terrapin batter to fly out with two runners on in the seventh.
Although the Terrapins have a fairly strong team, and these wins avenged a loss by the Tigers on March 5 against Maryland, Princeton cannot feel pleased with its season.
Perfect start
The Tigers, who started out their Ivy season with a promising 4-0 record, seemed to lose their momentum after a stumble against Penn in the first game of a doubleheader April 14. After that perfect start, the team won only two more league games and was swept in its last two Ivy doubleheaders.
Throughout the season, Princeton seemed to have the potential for success, but could never quite make every facet of its game work at the same time.
The team will have another chance next year — losing only Peterman to graduation. But the Princeton pitcher proved in her last game at 1895 Field that she will be hard to replace.
Read More
Tiger ties: Kaitlyn Chen transfers to UConn
Max HinesStar guard Kaitlyn Chen is off to one of the best programs in the country, where she will compete for a championship with title contender and Carla Berube’s alma mater, the UConn Huskies.
Star guard Kaitlyn Chen is off to one of the best programs in the country, where she will compete for a championship with title contender and Carla Berube's alma mater, the UConn Huskies.
Back to Back: No. 11 women’s water polo repeats as CWPA champions
JP OhlFor the second time in program history, the Princeton women’s water polo team repeated as CWPA Champions. The squad will open the NCAA tournament with a quarterfinal match against No.2 Hawaii.
For the second time in program history, the Princeton women’s water polo team repeated as CWPA Champions. The squad will open the NCAA tournament with a quarterfinal match against No.2 Hawaii.
Cornell’s Ben Syer to take the reins as new head coach of Princeton men’s ice hockey
Ava Seigel and Cole KellerAfter ten years, Princeton men’s hockey head coach Ron Fogarty will not be returning behind the bench next season. Instead, 25 year coaching veteran Ben Syer will be taking over as head coach. Bringing top-notch defensive acumen and an eye for recruiting, Syer hopes to lead the Tigers back to championship-level success.
After ten years, Princeton men’s hockey head coach Ron Fogarty will not be returning behind the bench next season. Instead, 25 year coaching veteran Ben Syer will be taking over as head coach. Bringing top-notch defensive acumen and an eye for recruiting, Syer hopes to lead the Tigers back to championship-level success.
