Princeton University
Fairfield
Erin Snyder Pitched Her First-Career Perfect Game En Route To A Sweep In The Season-Opener
March 29, 2005 | Softball
March 29, 2005
Box Score
PRINCETON, N.J. - The Princeton softball team opened its home schedule in an exciting way, as it swept Fairfield Tuesday afternoon. Junior Erin Snyder recorded the perfect game in game one with an 8-0 shutout, before a grand slam by sophomore Tiffany Andras led to a 6-5 win in game two. Three Tigers recorded their first home runs of the season, while junior Cristina Cobb-Adams notched in two on the day. Princeton improved to 17-7 overall, while the Stags' record dropped to 9-13 on the season.
Snyder (9-2) recorded the first perfect game of her career with zero hits, zero runs and no errors. She collected 10 strikeouts in the game and clinched the number two spot on the all-time career strikeouts list with 442 strikeouts. This is Snyder's fourth shutout of the season.
Junior Lindsay Motal's double to centerfield recorded the first score of the day, as sophomore Calli Varner, who advanced to base on a double of her own, scored the first run in the second inning.
Princeton expanded its lead with four runs off four hits in the third inning. Varner tallied a 3-2 count with junior Amanda Erickson and freshman Beth Dalmut on second and third base, respectively, before she hit her first home run of the season. Two batters later, Cobb-Adams stepped up to bat and hit a home run over the left-center field wall, as well, to make the game 5-0. Senior Melissa Finley stole second base after getting on base with a fielder's choice and scored following Snyder's single to center field to give the Tigers a 6-0 lead in the fourth inning.
Senior Ty Ries led off for Princeton in the fifth with a single to center field before Cobb-Adams hit her second home run of the day ending the game 8-0 in five innings.
Tara Hansen took the loss for the Stags with eight hits, five runs and two strikeouts in three innings.
The momentum of game one carried into game two as Andras stepped to the plate with bases loaded and two outs in the second inning. Andras, who tallied two strikes, recorded the first grand slam of her career and gave the Tigers a 4-0 advantage. Dalmut, Cobb-Adams and Motal all scored on the play.
Tara Hansen, who singled to left field, tallied the first run of the game for Fairfield off a homerun by Cagney Ringnalda in the top of the third. Then, Cobb-Adams hit a double that bounced off the fence in the bottom of the third inning to send Dalmut in for the score. Princeton led 5-2.
Andras advanced to base off a single to left field in the fourth inning. Finley doubled, allowing Andras to advance to third. Dalmut, then, trickled a base hit down the third base line that scored Andras for the would-be winning run.
The Stags' comeback mounted in the sixth inning, as Shannon Logan hit a home run scoring both her and Kristen D'Alessandro. Breanne Morschauser also homered to count the game at 6-5 in favor of Princeton.
In the top of the seventh inning the Tigers looked to hold on to their lead and secure the win with strong defensive play. Cobb-Adams recorded the second out of the inning, as she fielded a sharp shot by Rignalda to tag Hansen making her way to third base. Then, with bases loaded Dalmut caught a fly ball from Logan to end the game.
Freshman Kristen Schaus (6-4) recorded the win with four hits, two runs and nine strikeouts in 5.1 innings pitched. Fairfield's Tracy Sylvestre finished with the loss.
Princeton will continue action at 1895 Field as it opens Ivy play against Penn on Saturday, April 2. The doubleheader will begin at 1 p.m.