Softball: Princeton looks to rebound from 10-game losing streak against familiar foes

Last year, the Tigers split with both of these teams. While they beat Brown by six runs the first game, they only lost by one run in the second game. The games against Yale were much closer, with a difference of just one run in both games.

With one of the team’s key players, sophomore outfielder Nicole Ontiveros, out with a sustained injury, the team will be counting even more on its core group of freshmen to perform this weekend.

While the games this weekend are all Ivy League games, Princeton is not trying to psych itself out.

“There is definitely an external pressure to do well because they are conference games, but as long as we take each game one at a time and do not worry about the past or the future, we will be successful,” Ontiveros said. “We already place enough pressure on ourselves to let last weekend’s results linger in our minds. Friday is a brand new day with a new opponent. We need to be successful each inning in order to be happy with the final result.”

Though the Tigers may be concerned about the competition, and the travel may take a toll on their energy, they are ready to focus on the individual game and take the game of softball back to the basics.

“The key to the games this weekend is not beating ourselves,” Ontiveros said. “Oftentimes, we place so much pressure on ourselves to perform and be successful that we create a fear of being great. Whatever Brown and Yale throw at us, we will be ready for — we just need to play our own game by keeping our swings compact and being disciplined at the plate.”

The pitching staff, consisting of senior Jamie Lettire and three freshmen, will be crucial this weekend in preventing runs early on in the game, allowing Princeton to put up runs without pressure later on.

For the Bulldogs, utility player Christy Nelson will be a significant factor for Princeton to look out for. She leads the team with three home runs and seven RBI. Utility player Kate Strobel and shortstop Katie Rothamel are key hitters for the Bears. Strobel has clubbed eight home runs and 18 RBI on the season and boasts an extravagant .760 slugging percentage. Rothamel has a .338 batting average and leads the team with 20 RBI.

Princeton is looking for successful individual play in its upcoming games.

“This weekend is all about playing with heart and each player upholding her own responsibility,” Ontiveros said. “If we all each individually do our part, we will be successful. In addition, if we do what we know how to do and don’t over-complicate things, we will be able to pull out the wins.”