Princeton University Athletics
NCAA-Bound Princeton Softball Gets Two Ivy Weekly Awards
May 02, 2006 | Softball
May 2, 2006
PRINCETON, N.J. - The Ivy League awarded its final weekly honors for the 2006 season Tuesday and the NCAA tournament-bound Princeton softball team claimed two of the three awards. With Erin Snyder's pitching honor and the Ivy Player of the Week award going to Stephanie Steel, the Tigers have won 11 of the 24 awards and have claimed at least one each of the eight weeks.
Steel's honor is the first of her career. She was 9 for 20 (.450) on the week as Princeton went 5-1 against Villanova, St. John's and St. Joseph's. Entering last week as the nation's 14th-toughest player to strike out, Steel had no Ks on the week and had at least one hit in all six games with two hits in each of the last three games. She had three doubles and a triple and was 4 for 7 with three RBI in the week-ending doubleheader at St. Joseph's.
Snyder won the award for the fourth time in eight chances this season. In 20 innings, Snyder allowed one run with 36 strikeouts and one walk, just her seventh free pass on the season. Against Villanova, Snyder threw her seventh shutout of the season, two-hitting the Wildcats while fanning 13 batters. Two days later against St. John's on Senior Day at Class of 1895 Field, Snyder took the loss but allowed just a first-inning run in a 1-0 defeat. She rebounded the next day against the Hawks, striking out 14 batters with two hits in six innings of work. During the week, she became just the third pitcher in Princeton history with two 200-strikeout seasons. At the plate, Snyder was 5 for 19 (.263) with four RBI and a home run in her final game at '95 Field against the Red Storm.
Princeton claimed five of the eight Ivy pitching honors this season, with Snyder winning four and Kristen Schaus one. Four times, the rookie of the week honor went to a Tiger player with outfielder Kathryn Welch claiming three and infielder Jackie Araneo one. The player of the week honor is the second after Calli Jo Varner won one in March. After clinching their 16th Ivy League title and seventh NCAA tournament berth April 24, the Tigers wrap up the regular season Saturday at Rider. Princeton learns of its NCAA destination May 14 and regional play begins May 19.