How do comic books normally distinguish superheroes from their arch-nemeses? A standard trick of the trade is to make the villain and the hero polar opposites. This pattern could not be more perfectly applied to Princeton (13-8 overall) and Penn (11-14 overall), two schools whose rivalries in other sports makes them natural foes in softball.
As if the two teams needed more reason to view each other as enemies, the Quakers and Tigers also share nothing in common. Princeton's pitching staff has always been stifling, but too often, stellar hurling has not been matched with adequate hitting. Penn, on the other hand, has a dominant offense that is backed up by shaky pitching.
This weekend, the two teams will face off to open their Ivy League schedules and discover the answer to one of the sport's ultimate questions: does good pitching beat good hitting?
The Tigers come into this weekend on a four-game winning streak — and the team's offense is finally showing signs of life. If the Orange and Black can find a consistent scoring attack to match its Ivy-leading pitching, it will mean bad news for the Quakers.
During the midweek series against Rutgers, Princeton began to manufacture runs at an unprecedented pace. Senior shortstop Cristina Cobb-Adams had an outstanding game on March 29, going two for four at the plate and driving in three runs.
As the lead-off hitter, Cobb-Adams plays a critical role in the team's success. Though she is not known as a prodigious power hitter, she gets on base and hits for contact. Her .313 average leads all members of the team with 50 or more at-bats.
Both of her hits against the Scarlet Knights — a triple in the second inning and a double in the fifth — went for extra bases and came at key moments for the Tigers, and the result was a 9-2 victory for Princeton.
Sophomore Kristen Schaus pitched an outstanding game against Rutgers, going seven strong innings. She allowed only seven hits and struck out eight batters. Yet, despite her success on the week, she did not repeat as the Ivy League Pitcher of the Week.
Of course, Schaus was not too upset to hear that senior teammate Erin Snyder was assuming the honor in her place. Schaus and Snyder were 2005 all-Ivy first-team performers, and between them they have split the three Ivy League Pitcher of the Week awards in 2006.
No one has disputed the quality of Princeton's pitching in some time. Unfortunately for the Tigers, their skills in the batter's box have been considerably less fearsome. The team has been shut out in four of its eight losses.
Snyder at bat
The turning point may have come in last weekend's victory against Illinois at the Stanford Invitational. In a 4-3 win, the team received a spark from — who else — star pitcher Snyder. Snyder is an excellent hitter, and she showed off her power stroke by belting a two-run homer that provided the deciding margin in the game.
Since then, the Orange and Black has outscored its opponents by a combined margin of 17-4.
Princeton brings its rejuvenated offense and its pitching — already in peak form — to this weekend's series against Penn. The two games, played as a doubleheader this Saturday, will open the team's Ivy League schedule.
Penn may well have the most intimidating offense among the Ancient Eight. The Quakers return three players who hit over .300 last year — all of whom have at least two years of eligibility remaining.
Second baseman Annie Kinsey and designated hitter Stephanie Reichert each earned first-team all-Ivy recognition last year. It marked the first time since 2000 that any Penn player had been selected for the honor.
They are reinforced by three honorable mention all-Ivy players, all of whom contribute to a lineup that is the Ivy League's equivalent of a murderers' row. Brandi King is the team's primary catcher, while Kaelin Ainley plays both catcher and outfielder. Infielder Jen Nichols rounds out the trio.
Penn, like Princeton, comes into this weekend on a winning streak. Having just beaten Lehigh in a two-game series, the Quakers believe they have the momentum heading into this clash of the titans. The Tigers, however, will happily test out the theory that their dominant pitching can neutralize the kryptonite of the Penn offense.
After facing Penn, Princeton will travel to Bethlehem, Pa. on Wednesday before continuing Ivy League play next weekend by hosting Yale and Brown.
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