Softball hosts doubleheader versus Boston University

Fresh off a come-from-behind victory in the tail end of a doubleheader against Rutgers, the softball team hopes that it can keep its momentum going as it plays two against Boston University on Saturday at Class of 1895 Field.

After splitting the doubleheader with Rutgers on Wednesday, the Tigers stand at an 8-9 record. The Terriers come into Princeton at 10-17 but are on a roll, having won three of their last five.

The Tigers will need to have strong offensive production to come out with a sweep this weekend, as the offense has been erratic this season. In the first Rutgers game, the Tigers failed to score a run, but then came back to score five in the second game.

Princeton will also look for continued production from sophomore pitcher Erin Snyder and junior outfielder Melissa Finley.

Snyder has led the Tigers' pitching core this season. After starting the final six games for the Tigers over Spring Break, Snyder was named Ivy League Pitcher of the Week. During that span she struck out 26 batters and only allowed two walks per game. On the season she has started 11 games for the Tigers, with a 5-6 record and 2.38 earned-run average.

But on Wednesday, Snyder did damage with her bat. Twice, Snyder delivered in the clutch with two-out doubles. Overall in the second game she went 3-3 with three runs batted in and one run scored. She also leads the team with a .389 batting average.

Finley, the defending Ivy League Player of the Year, was an offensive stalwart for the Tigers over Spring Break, earning her the first Ivy League Player of the Week honors. She also leads the team with two home runs and eight RBIs.

A formidable opponent

The Terriers, despite the lack of a fear-inspiring mascot, came into this season as two-time defending champions of the America East conference.

"BU is traditionally a very good team," freshman pitcher Calli Varner said. "We will have to be aggressive offensively as well as play strong defense to come away with a win."

BU is led by freshman pitcher Ashlee Freeman, who was named the first America East Rookie of the Week on March 23. Freeman's stats are impressive — although she only has a 6-9 record and one save, she pitched 14 complete games with only a 2.61 ERA. She also leads the America East conference in wins, in appearances with 20, in innings pitched with 96.2, and in strikeouts with 61.

Should Freeman face off against Snyder, it would be a classic pitching duel between two dominant aces.

The Terriers also have an offensive trifecta in junior shortstop Jamie Haas, freshman outfielder Chiya Louie, and sophomore first baseman Liz Alley. Haas leads the team with a .303 batting average, 23 runs, and a .376 on base percentage. Louie has hit six home runs and has 20 RBIs, leading the team in both categories. Alley leads the team in doubles, with three, and slugging percentage, at .534, in addition to hitting four home runs.

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Interestingly, the Terriers have played all 17 of their games at neutral sites, and this weekend will be their first road games. Their home opener, which was scheduled for last Sunday, had to be postponed due to inclement weather.

This weekend's doubleheader will be the second homestand for the Tigers. Next Tuesday the Tigers will play at Fairfield, before returning home to play Temple on Wednesday.