Princeton University Athletics
Tiger Softball Drops Two at the Buzz Classic
March 23, 2001 | Softball
March 23, 2001
MARIETTA, Ga. - - The Tigers dropped their two opening games of the Buzz Classic, a tournament hosted by Georgia Tech that drew 25 teams from around the country to Georgia. This morning the Tigers lost to Cleveland State 4-3. Later in the day, Princeton lost to UConn in the 9th inning, 1-0.
Cleveland State jumped to an early lead when Viking center fielder, Tiffany Nofziger scored in the top of the first inning. Princeton quickly answered when first baseman Brie Galicinao homered over the left field wall in the bottom of the opening inning to even the score.
The Vikings took the lead once again in the top of the third inning when Nofziger, who had reached third off a triple hit down the left field line, was driven in by second baseman Lindsay Gervais.
The Tigers went ahead in the fifth when center fielder Lori Volker hit a double into the gap in right-center that brought pitcher, Sarah Jane White and left fielder, Wendy Bingham, home. Princeton lost the lead in the seventh inning when they allowed the final two Viking runs to cross the plate. The Tigers, who allowed 11 hits, were never able to mount a threat in the bottom of the seventh. Princeton finished the game with four hits and eight runners left on base. White moves to 3-1 on the season and the Tigers slipped to 4-3.
The Tigers started their second game of the day at 3:15 p.m. against UConn who entered today's game after a six-game losing streak. For the second time today, Princeton lost a heartbreaker in the last inning of the game. In great fast-pitch tradition, the pitchers were in control of the game.
On the mound for the Tigers this game was Galicinao. Galicinao, who splits starts with White, has had a rough early season entering this game at 1-2. Galicinao held the Huskies scoreless until the 9th inning and allowed 8 hits. Pitching for UConn was Barb Cook. She finished the game allowing only four hits.
"Brie threw a great game. She kept the batters off balance and as the game went on, Brie got stronger, said head coach, Maureen Davies. "She threw with great velocity and her ball was breaking well."
The Tigers enter today's tournament with only six games under their belt. They are battling teams that have 25-30 games already played. Today's match was against a UConn team that came off a recent trip to Florida. The Tigers entered into the international tie-breaker at the end of the seventh and gave up the winning run in the top of the 9th inning. UConn's first baseman, Abbie Link was placed on second and reached home when teammate, Elisa Brinkworth hit a double into left field. The Tigers were unable to answer in the bottom of the ninth.
Coach Davies told her players that she was happy with the intensity that the Tigers brought to the field, and that things are starting to come together for the team. Defensively, the Tigers were sound in the second game, committing no errors.
"Brie kept us in the game," Davies stated, "we just needed to bring a runner home."
Princeton will face Maryland tomorrow morning at 11:00 a.m. and will take on Troy State, later in the afternoon at 3:00 p.m. The top two teams from each bracket will advance to championship rounds, starting tomorrow night. The Tigers must win both games tomorrow to have a chance to move on to the next round of the tournament.