Princeton University Athletics
Tiger Softball Battles Mercer University
March 22, 2001 | Softball
March 22, 2001
MACON, Ga. - The Tigers dropped the first match against the Bears of Mercer University, 3-1. Princeton's pitcher Brie Galiciano picks up her second lost of the season. Mercer's pitcher, Christi Montgomery moves to 10-8.
The Tigers came out swinging, loading the bases in the top of the first. Center fielder, Lori Volker began the game with a single into left field. Lauren Poniatowski reached 1st on an error by the 1st baseman, Fraser. Brie Galiciano was the third Tiger to get on base. With one out in the top of the 1st, Volker on third, Poniatowski on second, and Galiciano on first, the Tigers were unable to bring home any runners.
The Tigers managed to out-hit the Bears, 8-6 yet 4 errors in the field cost Princeton the game. Christi Montgomery started the Bears scoring effort, in the bottom of the forth, when she drove a ball into deep left-center field for a double. A groundball hit off the bat of Mercer's Fraser moved Montgomery to third. An easy ball hit into the shallow outfield, was dropped and allowed Montgomery to score. The Bears picked up two more runs in the bottom of the fifth when the left fielder, Dolan came home on a wild pitch. The final run of the game was scored as Mercer's Jalbert reach home when Tiger catcher, Vicki Siesta, over threw third base as Jalbert stole third. The ball traveled into left field and Jalbert picked up the run.
Galiciano, who was the losing pitcher, led the Tiger offense with two hits and the only run scored. Galiciano drops to 1-2 on the season.
As in the doubleheader with Villanova last Saturday, the Tiger bats came alive in the second game. Princeton earned it's forth victory of the season, 9-1. The game was called at the end of the sixth due to the mercy rule that states that if a team is up by 8 runs after the fifth inning, the game is over.
Volker, who was sensational today batting in the leadoff position, drove a ball into shallow centerfield for a single. With Volker on base, Galiciano playing as the first baseman hit a single allowing Volker to move to second. A wild pitch allowed both Volker and Galiciano to advance a base. Kim Veenstra picked up the RBI when she hit a slow ground ball to the shortstop. The Tigers never looked back.
Sarah Jane White, pitching for the Tigers, picked up her third win of the season. White allowed only four hits in six innings and picked up three strikeouts in the last five batters faced. The Tigers were much more solid on defense in the second game of the day, compared to the first, not committing a single error. Poniatowski and Mackensie Forsythe were two Tiger fielders who had a great game each putting out three Bears.
Princeton picked up two more runs in the second when Mercer pitcher, Mattice walked in two runners, Anna Soper and White. The Tigers scored four times in the forth inning and twice more in the sixth to clinch the game.
Princeton's catcher, Devon Keefe and shortstop, Veenstra each finished the game with three RBI's. Volker, Galiciano and Poniatowski each crossed home plate twice.
Tomorrow the Tigers will play in the first day of competition of the Buzz Classic tournament held at Georgia Tech. Princeton will face Charleston Southern in the morning and UConn later in the afternoon.