Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Rider (Princeton Invitational)
Softball Downs Rider After Winning Ivy Title
May 03, 2003 | Softball
May 3, 2003
Box Score
PRINCETON, N.J. - Melissa Finley went 3 for 3 with a double, triple, home run and two RBIs and Wendy Bingham pitched a two-hitter with no walks to lead Princeton past Rider, 10-2, at its own Princeton Invitational.
The Tigers, who scored four of their 10 runs in the third inning, put the first run on the board in their first at-bat. Kristin Lueke led off for Princeton and reached base on an error by the pitcher. Lueke advanced to third when Wendy Bingham walked and scored off Finley's double to right field.
In the second inning, Kristin DelCalvo increased the lead to 2-0 when she reached second on an error by the shortstop, advanced to third on Kelly Baril's single, and was brought home by Lueke. Rider responded in the third when Amanda Tu got on base on an error at third, advanced on a passed ball, and scored when Brandey Weed singled to right field. But Princeton came back even stronger and scored four runs off six hits in the third to take a seven run lead after three innings.
In the third, Finley's triple to right field sparked the Tigers. Amanda Erickson then walked and Ty Ries hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield that scored Finley. Erin Valoscik then ripped a double into leftfield and brought home Erickson before she scored on Baril's double. Lueke got on first with a bunt and stole second to help bring home Del Calvo, who reached on an error, for the seventh run. Lueke and Baril both scored when another Rider error let Bingham on base, increasing the Tigers lead to 8-1.
Finley came out strong again in the fourth with a lead-off homer, her tenth of the season, that upped Princeton's advantage to 9-1.
Rider scored off one hit in the fifth but the Tigers copied that in the bottom of the inning to end the game, 10-2, with the mercy rule. Baril got the final run, both reaching and scoring on two errors by the Broncs.
Princeton improves to 22-16-1 overall and 11-3 in the Ivy League. The Tigers finished a game with Brown this morning, when they won 8-5 and took sole possession of the Ivy League title. They return to action tomorrow, May 4, in the Princeton Invitational Tournament. The Tigers play three games against St. Joseph's and Rider beginning at 11 a.m.