Softball: Tigers take three of four against Columbia

“We had the big hits when we needed them and the simple hits when they were in demand,” Lettire said. “Everyone really had a good positive attitude going into this weekend, and the pitching really found its groove.”

In the series opener on Saturday, the Tigers (10-26 overall, 4-8 Ivy League) suffered a close loss to the Lions (10-25, 2-10), losing 6-5 in a nine-inning game. Following that loss, however, Princeton rallied to win the next three games, increasing the margin of victory in each win. Princeton rebounded to beat Columbia 2-1 on Saturday afternoon. Then, in a Sunday doubleheader, Princeton topped Columbia 6-4 in the opener and wrapped up the series with a 6-2 win to end the weekend on a high note.

Not only was this a winning weekend for the Tigers, but Lettire also broke the school home run record with her 38th career home run in the first game against the Lions on Saturday. This home run allowed her to surpass Melissa Finley ’05, the previous record-holder.

“It was really exciting,” Lettire said. “It was a load off my back. I wasn’t completely focused on it, but it is definitely a load off my back. I was really excited.”

While the Tigers lost this game, they held on to the very end, when Columbia recorded a home run to take home the victory.

Lettire did not just impress on home plate; she also helped Princeton out on the mound. Lettire pitched seven innings of one-run ball, which, along with Princeton’s big sixth-inning rally, led the Tigers to a 2-1 win in the second game of the series.

“The pitching was much better and sharper,” Lettire said. “[Freshman pitcher] Liza Kuhn and I were able to get ahead. There were obviously some missed pitches, but overall, we threw a sharp game with good calling from our coaches.”

Lettire was not the only Tiger with a home run story to tell this weekend. Freshman catcher Sarah Rounsifer hit two home runs in Sunday’s doubleheader. Her home run in the first game against the Lions came at a particularly important time. Rounsifer’s hit broke a 2-2 tie in the sixth inning and sparked a four-run frame for Princeton. While the Lions were able to rally for two runs in their half of the sixth, they were held off from tying the game by pitching from Kuhn.

“We didn’t over-think it,” Lettire said. “We just focused and continued playing the game we had been playing.”

Another defining feature of the softball team this weekend was its clutch hitting at the end of its games. In all of their wins, the Tigers scored most of their runs in the later innings, coming on strong to prevent Columbia from taking a second game in the series.

Princeton returns home next weekend to face Penn in a four-game series.

“Next weekend, the pitching needs to stay sharp,” Lettire said. “As a team we need to maintain consistency and continue the hitting intensity but most importantly, have fun. While winning is more fun than losing, we had fun going into it and continued, throughout the weekend, to have a positive attitude.”