Early Saturday morning, the softball team's main objective for the season was finally completed.
The Tigers (24-19-1 overall, 11-3 Ivy League) had been forced to travel to Providence to finish the ninth inning of their suspended game against Brown (16-23, 5-9). Princeton hung on for an 8-5 victory, giving the team sole possession of the Ivy League title.
The contest resumed with two outs in the top of the ninth, with sophomore pitcher Melissa Finley on first base. When the Tigers could not bring her home, they headed into the bottom of the ninth with a three-run cushion, needing just three outs to claim the League championship.
After freshman pitcher Erin Snyder retired the first hitter, the next batter reached on an error. Back-to-back Brown singles then loaded the bases, bringing the winning run to the plate. Snyder would strand all three Bears, however, as she retired the next two hitters to clinch the title.
The Tigers then quickly returned to campus, where they hoped to put the icing on their championship cake with a strong showing at the Princeton Invitational.
In their first game, the Tigers took on Rider (21-21) on Saturday afternoon. They showed no signs of bus-lag, demolishing the Broncos, 10-2. Princeton scored in each of the five innings before the game was called due to the mercy rule.
Melissa Finley led the way, finishing the day just a single short of hitting for the cycle. She doubled, tripled, and homered, tallied two runs batted-in and scored twice.
Heading into the bottom of the third with a 2-1 lead, the Tigers exploded for six runs to blow it open. Junior pitcher Wendy Bingham made sure the Broncos couldn't come back, giving up just two hits to pick up the win.
The offense continued to roll Sunday morning, as Princeton blew out St. Joseph's, 7-1. The Tigers benefited from the Hawks' (24-13) mistakes, using three walks, a passed ball and a wild pitch to build a 4-0 lead after four.
Melissa Finley would add another home run to bolster the cushion in the sixth. Snyder cruised to the complete game win, striking out seven and giving up just four hits and one walk.
Princeton continued to hit well in the second game of its doubleheader versus the Hawks. This time, however, the Tigers could not convert their nine hits into even a single run, stranding 10 runners en route to a 3-0 loss.
St. Joseph's got all the offense it needed from Alicia Cunic's first inning home run, and would tack on another run in the fourth.
In the tournament's final game, the Tigers dropped their rematch with Rider falling 3-2 in extra innings. After the game began with five scoreless innings, freshman second base Lindsay Motal hit her first career home run to break the tie. But Rider quickly reknotted the game with a solo shot of its own.
The Tigers, playing as the road team, appeared to be on their way to victory when Melissa Finley blasted yet another home run in the top of the ninth. Bingham could not make the lead stand up, however. Following two singles and a passed ball, Maddy Boulden's two-out, two-run single gave the Broncos the walk-off win.
St. Joseph's swept Rider in two Saturday afternoon games, giving the Hawks first place. Princeton's 2-2 record was good for second.
Tuesday afternoon, the Tigers closed out the regular season, hosting Lehigh (38-8) for the second doubleheader of the season between the two teams.
The first game would be decided in the last at-bat. Finley hit a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh, breaking a tie and giving Princeton a 4-3 walk-off win. The home run was Finley's 13th of the season, setting a new team record. Erin Snyder picked up the complete game victory, striking out five.
In the second game, an RBI from junior first base Kristin Del Calvo gave the Tigers a 1-0 lead in the fourth. Princeton would not score again, however, while Lehigh scored two in the sixth and three in the seventh to hand Bingham the 5-1 loss.
The Tigers now begin their preparation for NCAA Regionals — the draw will be announced Sunday.
Read More
Preview: No. 3 men’s lacrosse plays No. 5 Syracuse in NCAA quarterfinals
Hayk YengibaryanShould the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.
Should the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.
Six for six: men’s and women’s track and field both complete triple crown
Luke StocklessMen’s and women’s track and field each won the Ivy League title this past weekend, capping off a dominant season in which both teams won the triple crown — a feat not seen in 14 years.
Men’s and women’s track and field each won the Ivy League title this past weekend, capping off a dominant season in which both teams won the triple crown — a feat not seen in 14 years.
Nation’s No. 2 miler Mena Scatchard ’25 to transfer to Stanford for graduate year
Luke StocklessThe Tigers’ most decorated distance runner ever has decided to use her final year of eligibility at Stanford after graduating from Princeton this May.
The Tigers’ most decorated distance runner ever has decided to use her final year of eligibility at Stanford after graduating from Princeton this May.