Princeton University Athletics
Tigers Need Eight Innings to Top Huskies
August 23, 1999 | Softball
March 28, 1999
PRINCETON, N.J. - The Tigers ended the 1999 Princeton Invitational on a high note, using extra inning heroics to defeat the UConn Huskies 3-2 on a bitter cold afternoon at the Class of 1895 Field.
With one out and the bases loaded, Lauren Poniatowski (So., Haddon Heights, N.J.) hit a fielder?s choice to the second baseman. Going home on the play, Brianne Galicaino (Fr., Stockton, Calif.) slid under Husky catcher Carrie Merritt. The crowd held its breath waiting for the umpire?s call. The Princeton dugout broke out in celebration as the home plate official said, "Catcher dropped the ball. SAFE."
Due to weather conditions, only two games were played today to finish out round robin play. No championship and consolation games were played. Princeton took to the field in the second game of the day after Hofstra handed the UMass Minutewomen their first loss of the weekend, 7-4.
The Huskies got on the board first when shortstop Jessica Yanosy hit a 2 RBI single in the top of the second inning, knocking in Mandy Simjian and Amanda Young. The Tigers responded, cutting the UConn lead in half when Vicki Siesta (So., West Milford, N.J.) roped her first homerun of the season to straight away center in the bottom of the second frame. The score remained 2-1 until the bottom of the sixth when Wendy Herm (Sr., Westtown, N.Y.) hit a sacrifice fly to right field with the bases loaded, scoring Emma Terrell (Fr., Annandale, Va.) to knot the score at two each. Neither team produced a run in the seventh, sending the game to extra innings.
Tiger pitcher Sarah Peterman (Jr., Davis, Calif.), who entered the game in relief of Galicaino in the fourth inning, retired three Huskies in order, setting up Princeton for the bottom of the eighth.
A double to the fence in center by Tanya Hendricks (Sr., Surrey, B.C.), a single by Galicaino and a base on balls issued to Devon Keefe (So., Winter Park, Fla.) left the bases loaded with no outs, bringing up Herm. Herm grounded into a 6-2 fielder?s choice, cutting down Hendricks at the plate. Poniatowski stepped up and collected her sixth RBI of the season.
The Tigers (8-13) return to action on Tuesday, March 30, when they travel to Drexel. The first game of a doubleheader begins at 2:30 pm.
Game scores:
Hofstra 7, UMass 4
Princeton 3, UConn 2 (8 innings)