After splitting its first two doubleheaders of the season, the softball team was looking for a sweep at Fairfield (10-19) on Tuesday in Connecticut. The Tigers (11-10) certainly did bring out the broom, beating the Stags, 5-2, in the first game and 4-0 in the second.
In the first game, the Tiger offense opened up early, scoring two runs in the top of the first. Junior outfielder Kristin Lueke led off the game with a bunt single, then stole second base. She advanced to third on a Fairfield error, which also allowed senior outfielder Wendy Bingham to reach first. Sophomore pitcher/designated hitter Erin Snyder then drove Lueke in with a squeeze play. Bingham later scored on another Stag error.
Fairfield, however, responded, by scoring a run in the bottom of the inning. The Stags then scored again in the bottom of the seventh when pitcher Tara Hansen hit a solo home run, tying the game and sending it to extra innings.
But in the top of the eighth, the Tigers put the game away. Freshman utility player Alison Nemeth scored on a single by freshman outfielder Stephanie Steel. Steel then scored on a Fairfield error that allowed sophomore third baseman Amanda Erickson to reach first. Erickson subsequently scored on a Lueke single.
Junior Melissa Finley got the win for Princeton, pitching all eight innings and striking out nine. She improved to 2-4 on the season.
Lueke led the Tigers' offense, going 3-5 with an RBI and a run scored.
Overall, Princeton committed two errors, and Fairfield recorded a whopping five on the day. The Tigers also left 10 runners on base compared to Fairfield's nine.
In the second game, the Tigers, bolstered by the impressive pitching of freshman Calli Varner, dominated the Stags while cruising to a 4-0 victory. Varner pitched a no-hitter for five innings before the game was called on account of darkness. She struck out seven while walking only three to earn her second win of the season.
Finley provided the offense for the Tigers, going 3-3 with all four RBIs, three of which came via a third inning home run. She then added an RBI-single in the top of the fifth. Finley leads the team with three homeruns.
Overall, it was another excellent performance from the Tigers' pitching staff and a solid performance for the Princeton offense.
"The batters at the top of the order did an excellent job of getting on base," head coach Maureen Barron said. "But we need to continue to do a better job of pushing runs across the plate like we did in the second game."
The Tigers return home to 1895 field today to take on Temple at 4 p.m.
The Owls stand at 14-13 and will be well rested for the game due to their hiatus since last Sunday.
Temple is led by freshman pitcher Richelle Villescas, whose record currently stands at 9-9 and who leads the team in wins. Villescas has started 16 games for the Owls this season, posting a 2.25 ERA. Last Sunday against Villanova, she pitched a one-hit complete game shutout, as the Owls topped Villanova, 1-0, in the first game of a doubleheader.
Also available to pitch for Temple is senior Kim Watkins, who has thrown spectacularly this season, posting a 4-1 record with a 1.45 ERA. Watkins has started eight games this season.
The Owls have no lack of talented batters. Freshman Adrienne Repsher leads the team in hitting with a .379 average, slugging (.638), and on-base percentage (.479). She is tied for the lead in home runs, three, with junior outfielder Laura Gutscher. On March 15, Repsher was named Atlantic-10 Co-Rookie of the Week.
Senior Lynsey Grace leads the team with 13 runs batted-in, 14 runs scored, and 27 hits. She is third in batting average at .338.
In order to achieve a victory, the Tigers will have to count on their pitching to be strong as usual. They will also need continued offensive production, especially from Lueke, Snyder and Finley.
Princeton will begin its Ivy League schedule with a doubleheader at Penn on Saturday.
Read More
Men’s soccer falls to Hofstra 1–0 in spirited matchup
Lily Pampolina and Alex Beverton-SmithAfter a decisive victory over Rutgers to open the season, the Tigers fell to the Hofstra Pride 1–0 on Wednesday night.
After a decisive victory over Rutgers to open the season, the Tigers fell to the Hofstra Pride 1–0 on Wednesday night.
Corners win games: field hockey splits pair of games in Tiger Invitational
Emilia ReayIn their opening tournament, Princeton beat Old Dominion before losing to the second-ranked University of North Carolina at the Tiger Invitational.
In their opening tournament, Princeton beat Old Dominion before losing to the second-ranked University of North Carolina at the Tiger Invitational.
Preview and Staff Picks: Men’s soccer vs. Rutgers
Harrison Blank, Joseph Uglialoro, and Alex Beverton-SmithIn their first matchup of the season, the Tigers face the Scarlet Knights on Sept. 5 at Myslik Field at Roberts Stadium. The team will hope to have a positive start to the year against their state rivals.
In their first matchup of the season, the Tigers face the Scarlet Knights on Sept. 5 at Myslik Field at Roberts Stadium. The team will hope to have a positive start to the year against their state rivals.