Princeton University Athletics
Princeton Looks To Heat Things Up In Arizona
May 20, 2005 | Softball
May 20, 2005
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Today is the day softball opens the road to the College World Series. At the starting line is two teams that return to the NCAA Championship after receiving bids in the 2003 season that will go head to head at 4 p.m. in hopes to getting one step closer to the finish line. The Tigers open their 2005 post-season stint against Oklahoma State at Hillenbrand Stadium on the campus of the University of Arizona. Although it got as hot as 104 degrees outside, Princeton took the field and practiced at Hillenbrand Stadium, yesterday, to prepare for its matchup against Oklahoma State. "For some of the girls on the team this is a return to our pre-college environment," says Amanda Erickson. "Growing up we played some of the athletes on the opposing teams in these same heat conditions." "I think we have the advantage because the other schools just see us as a northeast team and not a team made up of players from California and Arizona," says Amelia Runyan. The Arizona regional includes Arizona in the top seed, Oklahoma State as the second seed, third-seeded Princeton and then rounding out the teams is Lehigh. The field will play a double-elimination round-robin until one team stands. Princeton meets Oklahoma St. at 4 p.m. in game 1, while game 2 features Arizona and Lehigh at 6:30 p.m. If Princeton wins the first game, it plays the winner of game 2 at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday (game 3). However, if the Tigers fall to the Cowgirls in game 1, then Princeton will face the loser of the second game at 4 p.m. in game 4 for the first elimination game of the weekend. Game 5 will pit the winner of game 4 versus the loser of game 3 at 6:30 p.m. Sunday's action begins at noon with the winner of game 3 versus the winner of game five. If necessary, a game seven will be played between the winner of game six and the loser of game six at 2:30 p.m.
Oklahoma State, who earned an at-large bid, is making its second post-season appearance in three years and its 15th appearance overall. The Cowgirls (33-22) will see action from Jessica Hoppock on the mound. Fans unable to attend the games can get updated information by clicking here.