The Princeton softball team wants to win every time they take the field. Sometimes, it just does not happen.
The Tigers split a double-header against Towson yesterday afternoon in what was essentially a tune-up for this weekend's Ivy matchups with Harvard and Dartmouth. Princeton (20-14 overall, 6-0 Ivy League) won the first game, 6-0, while dropping the second, 2-1.
Before yesterday, Princeton had won six games in a row, and were winners of 11 of their last 12.
"Today was a day to get us ready for the weekend," Coach Maureen Davies '97 said. "Obviously, we still love to win though."
Davies and the rest of the team felt that the games were successful and that the team is ready for this weekend, when they can take a commanding lead in the Ivy race.
"[Today] definitely gave us some momentum," freshman third baseman Becky Nemec said.
The second game against Towson was a bit of a setback for the team, however, as they were held to only one run. Much of this was due to the team's inability to hit with runners in scoring position.
The clearest example was in the bottom of the seventh inning. Princeton loaded the bases with one out and a chance to win the game with a base hit. However, a pop-up and a fly out to the left fielder in foul territory ended the scoring threat and the game.
Towson built a 2-0 lead that Princeton was not able to overcome. Freshman pitcher Melissa Finley was wild in the first two innings, and with one out in the first inning, she allowed a walk and a two-run homerun on the following pitch.
The worst, however, was yet to come. Junior centerfielder Jen Neil hurt her ankle when she ran into the fence trying to chase down the ball. She did not return to the lineup and will be having x-rays done on the ankle today.
Freshman outfielder Nicole Davida replaced Neil.
"One swing made a huge difference," Nemec said.
Princeton's lone run of the game came in the bottom of the fourth inning. With one out, Finley helped her own cause by blasting one over the wall in left-center. It was her fifth homerun of the year.
Towson's Beth Wilcox turned in a great pitching performance. Until the last inning, no Tiger besides Finely even reached third base.
Princeton did not have these offensive problems in the first game of the afternoon. The Tigers jumped all over Towson pitcher Beth Miller early and often.
Princeton plated two in the first, two in the second, and one more in the third as they opened a 5-0 lead. The team would add one more run in the fifth inning.
In the first, freshman second baseman Kristin Lueke singled with one out to start the rally. After stealing second and moving to third on a groundball, she was driven home on an RBI double by senior shortstop Kim Veenstra. Nemec followed with another RBI double.
Lueke also picked up an RBI in the second when she knocked in Neil, who had reached on an error.
Senior pitcher Brie Galicinao, who improved to 10-6, pitched four innings of two-hit baseball to pick up the win. Sophomore pitcher Wendy Bingham relieved Galicinao and shut down Towson for the final three innings to earn her first save of the year. Both struck out five batters.
Princeton will carry this strong pitching performance into this weekend, where four wins would put them well on their way to their first Ivy title since 1996.
"I'm excited. We're ready," said Davies. "We just have to take it one day at a time."
That will probably have to be without Neil. Davida and junior outfielder Erin Valocsik will replace her in the lineup.
Valocsik has been receiving more playing time as of late, as she has been swinging the bat well. She has raised her batting average to .292.
Davida has seen little action thus far, but will now be asked to step into the starting lineup. She is hitting .185 with only 27 at bats.
They will also need to replace her leadership and defense, especially now that wins and losses count a lot more.
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