Princeton University Athletics
Local Rival Spoils Home Opener for Softball Team
March 22, 2000 | Softball
March 22, 2000
Box Score
PRINCETON, N.J. - The Princeton University softball team hoped that it could build momentum after winning two of its final three games in Florida by sweeping Rider University in the Tigers' home opener. The only momentum that came from today's games belonged to the Broncs, who went to 8-4 on the season after sweeping the Tigers (5-13) at Class of 1895 Field. Rider got seven runs over two innings in the first game to defeat the Tigers 7-3 and watched a 3-0 lead whittle away to a 3-2 lead before securing the win in a game that was shortened to five innings because of darkness.
Princeton led the first game 1-0 after Vicki Siesta (Jr., West Milford, N.J.) tripled in Brie Galicinao (So., Stockton, Calif.) in the second inning. Siesta went 2-for-2 in the game with two triples. Rider scored two runs in the fourth and five runs in the fifth to take a 7-1 lead. A bases-clearing double by Kim Merkle proved to be the backbreaking hit for the Broncs. Kim Veenstra (So., Hawthorne, N.J.) got Princeton to within four runs with a two-run home run in the fifth inning, her first home run of the year and second of her career. Sarah Peterman (Sr., San Diego, Calif.) took the loss, allowing 12 hits and three earned runs over six innings. Danielle Lake pitched a complete game for Rider to record her fifth win of the season.
Danielle Nagle hit a two-run double in the second inning of the second game, highlighting a three-run inning for the Broncs. Princeton started chipping away at the lead in the fourth inning. Lauren Poniatowski (Jr., Haddon Heights) doubled home Veenstra for Princeton's first run and scored the second run on a single by Siesta. With two runners on and no outs, Rider pitcher Becky Fegeley kept the Tigers from scoring the tying run. Princeton was scoreless in the fifth inning, which ended the game due to darkness.
Galicinao took the loss, giving up four hits and two earned runs over five innings. Princeton will host the Princeton Invitational, which it has won two consecutive years, this weekend. The Tigers will play their first game at 1:30 on Saturday against Fairfield.