Princeton University Athletics
Softball Finishes Second At U.C. Riverside Tournament
March 14, 2004 | Softball
March 14, 2004
Stats
Riverside, Calif. - Melissa Finley hit a two-run single, scored one run and earned the save on the mound against Riverside as Princeton split on the second day of the U.C. Riverside Tournament, defeating the host team 4-3 but losing to the University of San Diego in the championship game. The Tigers finished the tournament 3-1 and are 5-4 overall this season.
Princeton, whose 2-0 performance on Day One earned it a spot in the championship game regardless of the outcome of Sunday's first game, defeated Riverside with four runs in the third and held off a seventh-inning comeback by the Highlanders.
In the top of third, Wendy Bingham and Kristin Lueke hit back-to-back singles and advanced when Stephanie Steel grounded out at first. Finley drove home both runs with a straight shot up the middle, and then scored on a Lindsay Motal double to deep centerfield. A single to left by Amanda Erickson scored Kristin Del Calvo, who walked, and Ty Ries also got a hit before the end of the inning. The Tigers led 4-0 after three. In the bottom of the seventh, Riverside's Shannon Peterson singled, advanced to third on an Elizabeth Buck double and scored on an illegal pitch. Melissa Sanchez drove home Buck with a single up the middle, cutting Princeton's lead to 4-2 with no outs and the bases loaded.
Finley relieved freshman pitcher Amelia Runyan, who had seven strikeouts and just one earned run in six innings. A sacrifice fly by Amanda Black scored the final run for Riverside.
In the championship game, San Diego's Kimberly Luker's solo homer in the top of the fourth was the only offense the Toreros needed to win. Princeton loaded the bases in the fifth when Lueke bunted, Steel ripped a single up the middle and Finley reached on an error at third, but a double play left the Tigers scoreless.
Princeton got two hits apiece from Lueke, Steel and Finley, whose double was the only extra-base hit for the Tigers. Finley took the loss on the mound for the Tigers. who left eight on base.
Princeton returns to action Tuesday, March 16 (5 p.m. PT) at Cal State Fullerton.