Fresh off its doubleheader sweep at Fairfield on Tuesday, the softball team woke up Wednesday morning ready to take on Temple at home. Alas, it was not to be, as inclement weather forced the game's cancellation.
The Tigers (11-10) will try to make up the game tomorrow at Temple (14-13).
Either way, this weekend the Tigers will start their Ivy League schedule with a doubleheader at Penn (7-14) on Saturday.
Penn comes into the game in the midst of a three-game losing streak. In their last action, the Quakers were swept at home by Maine last Saturday, by scores of 4-3 and 5-1.
The Tigers come into this game as clear favorites. Last year, Penn finished in the Ivy League cellar, with a measly three wins and eleven losses.
Princeton won its second consecutive league title last year, and went to the NCAA tournament. The Tigers are looking to defend their title once again this year.
Despite the record, Penn could pose a challenge for the Tigers. Senior outfielder Erin O'Brien leads the team in offensive production. She is batting .347, with four home runs, 13 runs batted-in, and a .694 slugging percentage, all team highs.
Beyond O'Brien, however, the Penn offense is lacking, as no other starter is over .300. Sophomore third baseman Meghan Cowen leads the team with nine runs and four stolen bases, but is only batting .255.
Freshman pitcher Lindsey Permar has been solid for the Quakers, posting a 5-4 record with a 3.42 earned-run average in nine starts. Senior Nicki Borgstadt has started 10 games for the Quakers, but without much success. She has a 1-9 record with a 5.25 ERA, on which the Tigers' offense will hope to capitalize.
But Princeton cannot come into the game overconfident.
"We need to come to the field ready to play, put both our offense and defense together, and really take it to Penn," sophomore shortstop Cristina Cobb-Adams said.
The Tigers will need to continue their strong pitching with a staff that has proven its depth this season.
Sophomore Erin Snyder leads the pack with a 5-6 record and a 2.38 ERA. Junior Melissa Finley stands at 2-4 with a 2.39 ERA. Freshmen Amelia Runyan and Calli Varner both have two wins apiece with no losses. On Tuesday, Varner threw a no-hitter in the second game against Fairfield.
At the plate, the Tigers especially will look for production from Finley, who has exploded as of late. On Tuesday, Finley went 4 for 5 with four RBIs and hit her team-leading third home run of the season. In the second game against Boston University last Saturday, she went 3 for 4 with three RBIs. Her 15 RBIs on the season leads the team.
The team will also look for production from Snyder and senior outfielder Wendy Bingham. Snyder leads the team with a .395 average and a .435 on-base percentage. Bingham is currently hitting .333.
After Penn, the Tigers will play eight more games on the road before coming back to the friendly confines of 1895 Field. They will play at Lehigh next Wednesday, and then continue with their league schedule at Dartmouth next Friday.
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