Unsuccessful Swiss critic Amiel Henri-Frédéric once said, "Uncertainty is the refuge of hope." After losing four games in Ivy League competition, one would think that softball's hope of claiming the league title would be all but gone. Thanks, however, to several upsets last weekend and a conference notable for its parity, there is nothing at all certain about the title hunt's outcome, a fact that has indeed provided refuge for the Tigers' (19-14 overall, 6-4 Ivy League) hope and fueled their enthusiasm as they head into this final weekend of Ivy League competition, facing Cornell (27-11, 6-4) and Columbia (18-22, 4-6).
Before taking on these two important matchups, however, Princeton will first host Seton Hall on Class of 1895 Field tonight, hoping to continue a winning streak that started with an exciting Yale victory, one that could possibly have salvaged the Tigers' chances at the Ivy League title.
Led by pitcher Megan Meyer, the Pirates (27-13) have won five of their last six games and are currently tied for seventh in the Big East. Meyer, named Big East Pitcher of the Week four times this season, has thrown eight shutouts and led her team to a two-game sweep of Rutgers, a team against whom Princeton has split its matches.
With tonight's contest behind them, however, the Tigers will look to the bigger challenges on the horizon and their possibility of bringing home a third consecutive Ivy League title. With first-place Yale (24-16, 6-2) and second-place Harvard (17-15-1, 5-3) playing each other this weekend, Princeton will have a chance to take on Cornell, with whom it is tied for fourth, and potentially elevate itself to first in the conference.
The Big Red, which went 3-1 last weekend like Princeton, swept Dartmouth by scores comparable to those of the Tigers' and split two games with Harvard, a team to which Princeton lost both its matches.
Led by pitcher Whitney Smith, who was just named Ivy League Pitcher of the Week, Cornell is first in the Ivy League in team batting average (.288), due in large part to the efforts of junior Lauren May and senior Kate Varde. May leads the Ivy League in total hits, home runs and total bases, and Varde holds the number one spot in the conference for runs scored. Between these two, Cornell sports an impressive offense that should test the mettle of Princeton sophomore ace Erin Snyder.
Columbia, sixth in the league and right behind Cornell and Princeton, jumped up in the standings after an impressive 3-1 performance last weekend. Going into last Saturday's games with a record of 1-5, the Lions split their games against Dartmouth but then went on to pull off an impressive two-game sweep against then-league-leader Harvard.
With two formidable opponents in front of them and an unpredictable series of games yet to be played between Yale and Harvard — not to mention an exciting matchup later on between Harvard and Brown — the outcome of Princeton's quest for the Ivy League title is embroiled in a whirlwind of athletic action that will, in a matter of two days, decide the outcome of the entire Ivy League.
With only partial control of their ultimate fate, the Tigers will head into the weekend simply looking to find the critical wins they need to stay in the hunt, hopeful that the league's uncertainty will grant them the refuge they need to take home a third straight title.
Read More
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.
Two-way treats: Shenefelt and Kram do it all for Princeton baseball team
Joseph UglialoroThe baseball team features two players who hit and pitch, a rarity at the college level. Nick Shenefelt and Kaden Kram each took unique paths to playing both ways this season.
The baseball team features two players who hit and pitch, a rarity at the college level. Nick Shenefelt and Kaden Kram each took unique paths to playing both ways this season.