Princeton University Athletics
Varner Pitches No-Hitter, Finley Slams Three-Run Homer As Softball Sweeps Fairfield
March 30, 2004 | Softball
March 30, 2004
Stats
Fairfield, Conn. - Melissa Finley hit a three-run homer, went 3 for 5 with four RBI and one run and struck out eight batters as the Princeton softball team swept a doubleheader at Fairfield, 5-2 and 4-0. Freshman Calli Varner pitched a no-hitter in the second game, which was called after five innings due to darkness. The Tigers improve to 11-10 overall and play at home tomorrow, Wednesday March 31 at 4 p.m. against Temple.
In the first game, Princeton scored two runs off one hit in the first. Leadoff batter Kristin Lueke singled with a bunt, stole second and advanced to third when Wendy Bingham reached on an error. Erin Snyder sent Lueke home with a squeeze play for the first run before Bingham scored an unearned run when Kristin Del Calvo reached on an error at shortstop. Fairfield responded in the bottom of the first with one run, a single through the left side by Cagney Ringnalda that scored Brie Zimmerman, who doubled. Princeton led 2-1 after the first inning until Fairfield tied the game in the bottom of the seventh with a Tara Hansen home run, forcing the game into an extra inning.
The Tigers wasted no time, scoring three runs in the top of the eighth and shutting out the Stags in the bottom of the inning. Allison Nemeth started the inning on second base and advanced to third on a Ty Ries sacrifice bunt. Stephanie Steel singled to center field to bring home Nemeth, and then scored an unearned run when Amanda Erickson reached first on an error in left field. Lueke singled to score Erickson for Princeton's third run of the inning and the 5-2 win.
Lueke went 3 for 5 with one run and one RBI while Finley pitched all eight innings, striking out nine in her second win of the season.
While Finley dominated on the mound in the first game, it was her offense that led Princeton to a 4-0 win in the second.
In the third inning, Lueke and Bingham each reached on a fielder's choice before Finley hit her third homer of the year, a three-run shot that gave Princeton the 3-0 lead.
Finley singled through the left side in the fifth, scoring Bingham for the 4-0 lead before the game was called due to darkness.
Finley finished the game 3 for 3 with four RBI and one run while Varner pitched a no-hitter, striking out seven for her first collegiate shutout.