Softball to play with best at Buzz Classic

Contender or pretender?

This is the question the softball team will attempt to answer over spring break. As a result of last month's snowstorm, the break has the added importance of marking the beginning of the Tigers' season.

"All of our games are going to be pretty big because they are the first games we will be playing together," sophomore infielder Melissa Finley said. "This week is a good way for us to get used to playing together."

A successful spring break campaign could have profound effects on the rest of Princeton's season. If the Tigers can survive a grueling schedule against some very tough competition, Ivy League teams should be a breeze in comparison.

"It's going to be a great warm up for our upcoming season and Ivy League play," Finley said. "We will face better teams during this week than we will probably see all year, so we are pretty excited about it and looking forward to playing some games outside."

What's the Buzz about?

Princeton will meet No. 16 Florida State at the Buzz Classic in Marietta, Ga., in what will most likely be its toughest game of the season. The Seminoles are favored to win the Atlantic Coast Conference this year and have already amassed a record of 18-7.

Another ACC team, Georgia Tech, will also be a tough test for the Tigers. The Yellow Jackets (14-11), who will square off against Princeton on March 16, usually put together a solid team year after year, and this season is no exception.

"It would be nice to have a strong showing against Florida State and Georgia Tech so that we can prove ourselves right at the beginning of our season," junior first-base Kristin Del Calvo said.

Despite facing two of the nation's premier programs, Princeton is confident that it can do more than just compete.

"We faced them last year and played some pretty close games," sophomore outfielder Kristin Lueke said. "I think we're a stronger team this year, and even though we haven't gotten any games in yet, the general team sentiment is that we're going to go out there and prove that we're a solid program that's only going to get stronger."

Last season the Seminoles defeated the Tigers, 5-1, in their only encounter. Against the Yellow Jackets, Princeton narrowly fell in the first game of a doubleheader, 5-4. Georgia Tech claimed a 7-0 win over the Tigers in the second game.

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Princeton will also match up against Boston University.

"I would say the matchup we are most looking forward to, though, is playing Boston University in the Buzz Classic because they are in our Region," Finley said. "We are obviously hoping to go down there and do well. We are going to go down there and play our game."

The struggling Terriers are currently 0-5 overall and have been unable to find a rhythm this season. Princeton will have to be on its guard to avoid becoming BU's first victim of the year. Breaking into the win column should prove ample motivation for the Terriers, making them a dangerous opponent despite their record.

In addition to facing BU, Princeton is grouped with Middle Tennessee and Nicholls State at the Buzz Classic. No matter how the Tigers fare during the break, however, they should gain some valuable experience along the way.

"Regardless of how we end up record-wise after the break, it's going to be a good indication of what we need to work on and how we're going to perform this spring. All in all, we're fairly confident," Lueke said.

Contender or pretender — Princeton may soon find out into which category it fits. A strong showing at the Buzz Classic could provide the Tigers with the psychological edge they will need to rip through the Ivy League once again.