Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Towson (Game 1)
Midweek Blues Get Princeton Softball as Towson Sweeps
April 12, 2006 | Softball
April 12, 2006
Game 1 Box | Game 2 Box
TOWSON, Md. - Timely hitting was the difference for the Princeton softball team (20-11) at Towson (19-20) Wednesday. A third-inning home run for Towson and a half-dozen runners stranded in scoring position cost Princeton the opener, 2-1. In the nightcap, a Princeton error allowed a pair of Towson runs to score and a wild pitch got the winning run home in the bottom of the seventh as Towson won, 3-2. On the day, Princeton outhit Towson, 15-8, but fell to 3-6 in road midweek games.
GAME ONE
Towson took until the third inning to get its first baserunner but didn't waste the opportunity. With one out, Stephanie Fudurich singled off the glove of second baseman Jackie Araneo, who made a diving attempt to stop Towson from getting its first runner. Two batters later, Jen Hastings homered down the left-field line and Towson was ahead 2-0.
In its next at-bat, Princeton got one-out hits from Amanda Erickson, who singled, and Calli Jo Varner, who doubled off the wall in center, but both were stranded in scoring position.
Thanks to a single by Kathryn Welch and Erickson reaching and taking second on a fielding error, Princeton again had runners on second and third with one out, this time in the sixth. Another error helped Princeton half the lead as Varner reached when Megan Zwoyer dropped her pop-up, allowing Welch to score from third. A pair of groundouts, however, ended the threat and kept the Towson lead at 2-1. Three of the first four batters singled for Princeton in the top of the seventh and the bases were loaded with one out, but a pop-up and a groundout ended the game.
Towson ended up winning despite being outhit, 7-4. The Orange and Black left nine runners on base and six in scoring position, three at third base. Towson starter Jillian Kiley (8-9) did not earn Princeton's run and struck out five batters without a walk. Princeton starter Kristen Schaus (9-6) struck out 10 without a walk, earning both Towson runs. Varner had two of Princeton's seven hits.
GAME TWO
Princeton took a 1-0 lead in the fourth, converting on its first good chance to score. Welch snuck a double inside the bag at third with one out and with runners on the corners after a Varner single, Samantha O'Hara put one through the left side to score the run from third.
Lindsay Motal increased the lead to 2-0 in the fifth, driving the inning's first pitch over the wall in left-center for her first home run of the season.
Varner (1-2) started game two in the circle for Princeton, getting out the first 10 batters she faced before Towson got a runner aboard in the fourth with a single that was eventually stranded. But Towson threatened in the fifth, starting the inning with a single and a hit batter. After a sacrifice, both runners were in scoring position, now with one out. With two down after a strikeout, pinch-hitter Fudurich hit a two-strike pitch to centerfield. Brianna Moreno slid under the ball and appeared to make the catch, only to have the ball drop and both runners score, tying the game.
A single and two hit batters, all with one out, spurred Towson's winning run in the bottom of the seventh. With the bases loaded, Varner had a two-strike wild pitch that sailed to the backstop, allowing the run from third to score.
Princeton had the advantage in hits the second game as well, 8-4, but again Towson got the win. Varner and Motal had two hits in the nightcap. In the circle, Varner finished with four strikeouts without a walk, earning one of Towson's three runs.
Towson pitcher Jessica Fisher (10-10) struck out nine without a walk, earning Princeton's two runs.
The weekend ahead is an important one for Princeton which could all but end the conference race with a successful homestand. Columbia and Cornell come to Class of 1895 Field for a pair of 1 p.m. doubleheaders Saturday and Sunday.