Both fresh off sweeps of Villanova, the Tigers and Quakers square off

This weekend, the league-leading Tigers (17-19 overall, 12-0 Ivy League) will play four games against a struggling Penn squad. The Quakers (20-16, 5-7) snapped an eight-game losing streak with two wins against Villanova this past Tuesday. The team started out the season on a high note and came into Ivy League play with a winning record. Since then, Penn has struggled to maintain its dominance under the pressure of strong league foes.

Princeton, on the other hand, comes into the series undefeated in league play. After beginning the season with an abysmal 3-19 record, the Tigers have regrouped and made tremendous progress. The team didn’t let its losses over spring break against top teams in California keep it down. Thanks in large part to the captains, senior catcher Beth Dalmut and junior infielder Kathryn Welch, the Tigers’ morale and confidence have steadily increased.

“We really aren’t settling in ever, we just keep pushing ourselves to be better and tougher,” senior pitcher Kristen Schaus said.

This constant focus on pushing forward and getting better has led the team to a perfect 12-0 league record for the first time since 1995. If the Tigers were to win the first game against Penn on Saturday, it would be their first-ever 13-0 start against Ivy League teams. Two wins this weekend would also tie the league record for most wins in a season, set by Penn and Harvard last season, when both teams finished at 14-6.

While the team could set several records during the weekend matchup, there is also the potential for an individual record to be broken. Schaus currently stands merely 25 strikeouts away from tying Erin Snyder ’06’s all-time strikeout record.

Though there is potential for much celebration following the series against Penn, the Quakers should not be taken lightly. They are a much better team than their losing league record suggests. Several of the losses the Quakers suffered recently have been tight one- or two-run games. The second-best team in the league, Cornell, needed extra-inning heroics to secure a victory.

Two veteran players lead Penn at the plate. Senior shortstop Christi Khosravi is hitting a stunning .401 with 31 RBI. Close on her heels, senior second baseman Annie Kinsey is hitting .379. Kinsey also has another dangerous weapon: terrific speed. She leads the Quakers in stolen bases, with five on seven attempts. The Tigers will have to be aware of these two players in Penn’s lineup.

Princeton also boasts a potent offense, with both sophomore pitcher Jamie Lettire and sophomore outfielder Kelsey Quist batting .365. Junior outfielder Brianna Moreno has been clutch on the base paths for the Tigers, stealing 10 bases on 12 attempts. Both power and speed have helped Princeton mount its comeback this season.

On the mound, the Quakers have been getting stellar results from Jessie Lupardus. She has an outstanding 15-7 record and 1.17 ERA. The Tigers will have to be both focused and disciplined at the plate when they face her.

Princeton recognizes the significance of this weekend’s games but remains confident that it can continue its winning ways.

“I think we’re really focusing on bringing last weekend’s momentum and the way we played heading into Saturday,” Schaus said. “We looked really great in all areas, so we’re excited to play at home this weekend and keep going with Ivies. The great thing about this season in regard to league games so far is that we are constantly improving with each week.”