Princeton University
Villanova
Late-Game Homers Save Softball From Villanova Sweep
April 03, 2003 | Softball
April 3, 2003
Box Score
PRINCETON, N.J. - Amanda Erickson and Kristin Del Calvo each hit game-tying homers late in Game 2 to avoid Villanova's sweep of an afternoon doubleheader at '95 Field. Villanova's Theresa Hornick pitched a no-hitter and allowed just one batter to reach base in the Wildcats 1-0 shutout of Princeton in the first game before the teams battled to a 3-3 tie in the second.
Both teams struggled offensively in Game 1, as Villanova managed just five hits and one run and Princeton finished with no hits and no runs. Hornick had a perfect game until her pitch hit Erin Valocsik in the sixth, and sent her first and only batter to base.
The Wildcats' game-winning run came in the sixth off two critical errors by the Tigers. Ricci Lugo reached first on an error, advanced to second on the throw, and scored on another error, the third for Princeton that game. In the second game, neither team got on the board until Villanova notched two hits and a run in the fifth. Jessie Olownia singled to right field and her pinch runner, Kristin Leese, stole second and scored on a walked batter.
The Wildcats doubled their lead in the seventh with a single and run by Kristen Yauch, but the Tigers seized their final opportunity in the bottom of the seventh. Erin Snyder doubled and Wendy Bingham, who ran for her, advanced to third on a wild pitch. With two outs, Erickson homered and brought home Bingham, tying the score 2-2 at the end of seven.
Villanova's Lisa Krueger hit a home run to open the eighth and take a 3-2 lead, putting the pressure back on Princeton in the bottom of the inning. Del Calvo embraced the challenge and connected on a solo homer, with two outs against the Tigers, to even the score once again. Neither team managed to score in the ninth and the game was called at a 3-3 tie.
Princeton (9-10-1) begins Ivy League play this weekend when it hosts Penn at 12 p.m. on Saturday.