Princeton University Athletics
Softball Splits In Home-Opening Doubleheader With Rutgers
March 24, 2004 | Softball
March 24, 2004
Stats
Princeton, N.J. - Erin Snyder went 3 for 3 with three RBI and one run as Princeton defeated Rutgers 5-4 in the second game of its home opener at the Class of 1895 Field. The Tigers lost the first game 3-0 but improved their offense in the second, getting 10 hits in a game shortened due to darkness.
In the first game, Kristin Lueke went 2 for 4 but the Tigers got just six hits off Rutgers pitcher Leah Black and left eight runners on base. Melissa Finley took the loss on the mound, striking out five and walking just one batter in seven innings.
Rutgers scored all of its runs in the third off a three-run homer from Nikki Childress. Nichole Cruz singled to the shortstop and Helen Smith walked before Childress' game-winning shot over the centerfield fence. The Tigers loaded the bases in the bottom of the third when Ty Ries and Wendy Bingham hit back-to-back infield singles and Finley reached first after being hit by the pitch. But Princeton, which had two runners on with one out, stranded all three to end the inning scoreless.
Princeton's offense came alive in the second game when it had four more hits despite playing two less innings. Erin Snyder went 3 for 3 with three RBI and one run, including a two-run double in the third. Freshman Calli Varner earned her first win on the mound, replacing Amelia Runyan with the Tigers down 4-3 to start the fifth.
Rutgers took a 1-0 lead in the first when Stephanie Johannsen singled to right field, advanced to second on an out and scored on a Childress double. Princeton tied the game in the bottom of the first when Snyder's single scored Bingham.
In the third, Johannsen hit a two-run homer that scored Megan Antonucci, who reached on a single to right field. Once again the Tigers had an immediate answer. Lindsay Motal walked and advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Bingham before Finley singled to the shortstop. Snyder drove them both home with a double to centerfield, tying the score 3-3.
The Scarlet Knights scored an unearned run in the fourth when Crystal Vargas, who walked, scored on a fielding error on Antonucci's hit.
Princeton came through in the clutch, scoring two runs in the fifth before darkness fell. Finley walked and stole second, Snyder singled to third base and Del Calvo singled to centerfield for the first run. After Brielle Consentino replaced Christina Gillman on the mound, Ries singled to second base to score Snyder. The game was called after the fifth with the Tigers ahead 5-4.
Princeton (8-9) hosts Boston University in a doubleheader this Saturday, March 27 at 2:30 p.m.