Princeton University Athletics
Wild Finale Goes Princeton's Way
March 18, 2000 | Softball
March 18, 2000
Box Score
Tallahassee, Fla. - It wasn't pretty very often, but at least it ended on a positive note.
The Princeton softball team concluded its spring trip with a split in the consolation bracket of the Florida State Invitational. The Tigers dropped the opener 5-0 to Furman before rallying for a 4-3 win over Troy State in the later game. The win gives Princeton a 5-11 record overall and concludes a 3-7 trip to Tallahassee, Fla. The tough competition will undoubtedly help the Tigers as they soon embark on a mission for Ivy League supremacy.
Saturday's performance wasn't much to write home about until the sixth inning of the second game. Trailing 2-1, Lauren Poniatowski tied the game by scoring on a perfect suicide squeeze laid down by Brie Galicinao. The Tigers jumped ahead in the top of the seventh inning when Sarah Jane White scored on a single to center field by Lori Volker. Volker advanced to third on an error and scored on another suicide squeeze, this time by Poniatowski. Troy State did not go quietly. Down 4-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Lady Trojans put together a string of hits to score one run and threaten for more. With runners at first and second, Renie Mitchell hit a sharp single to centerfield. Jen Neil fielded it cleanly and fired home to keep Tara Michel from scoring. Catcher Anna Soper caught the throw on a hop and blocked the plate for the victory.
Galicinao won her second consecutive start by throwing seven innings of five-hit ball. She allowed two earned runs while striking out nine and walking none.
Sarah Peterman took the loss in the first game, despite giving up only one earned run. She allowed eight hits over six innings and struck out four batters. The offense could muster only five hits, including a double by Soper. Every player in the lineup was used in the game, including manager Lauren Rigney. The sophomore forward on the basketball team was used as a pinch runner in the seventh inning.
Princeton will be off until Wednesday when it makes its home debut at Class of 1895 Field against Rider University at 2:30 p.m.