%20(1).png&width=24&type=webp)
Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Rutgers
Scarlet Knights Rally In Sixth Inning To Defeat Princeton Softball
March 25, 2003 | Softball
March 25, 2003
Box Score
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers third baseman Crystal Vargas nailed a three-run homer late into Game 1 and carried the Scarlet Knights over Princeton, 5-4 and 3-2, in a doubleheader at Rutgers Softball Complex. The Tigers led throughout the first game until a four-run sixth inning by Rutgers gave it a 5-4 advantage and left Princeton with no comebacks.
Kristin Del Calvo sparked the Tigers' offense in the first inning with a single down the first base line before Melissa Finley sent her home with a double deep into center field. Freshman pitcher Erin Snyder allowed one hit and no runs in the inning, giving the Tigers a 1-0 edge in the first. Snyder and the Princeton defense held the Scarlet Knights scoreless until the fourth inning, when Nikki Childress, who entered the game with a team-high 27 total bases, homered and tied the score. The Tigers responded immediately when Ty Ries led off the fifth with a double to the center field fence. Third baseman Amanda Erickson sent her to second with a single before Lauren Palmer substituted in to pinch run. Ries and Palmer both stole base on a passed ball, putting them on second and third as Kristin Lueke stepped up to bat.
Lueke had two strikes against her but stayed alive with foul balls until she found a perfect pitch. She ripped a double and brought home Ries and Palmer, regaining the Princeton lead at 3-1. Wendy Bingham kept the inning going when her pop-up to the pitcher was fumbled, allowing her a single and advancing Lueke to third. Finley doubled through the left fielder's glove to score Lueke before the inning ended, 4-1.
After a scoreless fifth and top of the sixth, Rutgers used its last opportunity at bat to score four runs and earn the win. Meaghan Asselta doubled and Childress reached first on an error at first base, which let Asselta score the first run of the inning. But it was a three-run homer by Crystal Vargas that decided the game, putting the Scarlet Knights ahead by one run.
The seventh inning proved futile for the Tigers, who earned just one walk and no hits.
In Game 2, the Scarlet Knights picked up where they left off and scored two runs in the first inning. Jen Jacoby doubled and Asselta walked to first, allowing Jenny Card to score them when she reached first on an error.
The Tigers came alive in the fourth when Finley and Del Calvo both singled. In Princeton's next at-bat, Erin Valocsik struck out but reached first on the catcher's throw to first, scoring both Finley and Del Calvo.
The game was tied shortly at 2-2 before Rutgers opened it up again in the fifth. Asselta hit a key double, followed by a grounder up the middle by Childress, which brought home the game-winning run. Both teams went scoreless in the sixth and seventh.
Princeton falls to 3-9 overall and plays its home-opener against Monmouth this Thursday at 2:00 p.m.
Game 1: Score by Innings R H E ----------------------------------------- Princeton University 100 030 0 - 4 7 1 Scarlet Knights..... 000 104 X - 5 5 2 -----------------------------------------
Game 2: Score by Innings R H E ----------------------------------------- Princeton University 000 200 0 - 2 5 2 Scarlet Knights..... 200 010 X - 3 6 3 -----------------------------------------