This Saturday and Sunday, Princeton softball (10-18 overall, 2-4 Ivy League) will face Columbia (11-17, 5-3) in a two-day double header, pitting Ivy South Division foes together. The teams will play two games each day, opening up an opportunity for Ivy dominance. The weekend matchup also marks the season debut for Princeton’s home 1895 Field, as the Tigers prepare to honor former teammate Khristin Kyllo ’14 and host the annual Youth Softball Day.
Princeton rides an up-and-down season into the weekend matchup against Columbia. The Tigers have again and again dominated on the field, sweeping Georgetown and the University of North Florida. However, the team also bears the weight of a five-game losing streak, including crucial losses to Harvard. In particular, the Tigers have suffered on the road, maintaining a low 2-13 away record.
Overall, Columbia’s season record closely matches that of Princeton. Statistically, the two teams also closely mirror each other. The Tigers maintain a batting average of 0.225 — compared to Columbia’s 0.229 — and a team ERA of 3.29 — compared to Columbia’s 3.17.
However, the Lions have been on a streak as of late, winning seven of their last eight games. Sweeps over Yale and Brown have brought the Lions to the top of the Ivy South Division, which also includes Penn, Princeton and Cornell — ranked in order of record.
The Tigers hope to finally capitalize on home field advantage heading into a weekend of heavy Ivy League play. Princeton’s two previous home games were played at nearby Bordentown High School.
Playing on campus for the first time this season, the Tigers look to combine festivities and remembrance this weekend. Saturday’s game honors former Kyllo, who unexpectedly passed away from epilepsy early in her freshman year. Friday’s game aims to raise awareness for Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy, with fans encouraged to wear purple.
Sunday’s game, on the other hand, will witness a much lighter mood. The Tigers are set to host Youth Softball Day, which intends to generate excitement for the sport among local youth. Children in attendance will have the opportunity to meet and greet Princeton softball players.
The Tigers will also honor the team’s graduating seniors on Sunday. This year’s seniors include pitcher Meredith Brown, infielder Libby Crowe, first/third baseman Sarah McGowan, infielder/outfielder Rachel Rendina, infielder Alyssa Schmidt and catcher Cara Worden.
While the four games this weekend will surely exhaust the Tigers, a full schedule of Ivy League play has only just begun. Following this weekend, Princeton will take on double-headers against Penn and Cornell, rounding out the south division. With just a month left in the season, the schedule will surely put the fierce Tigers to test.
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