Princeton University
Maryland
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Tigers Top Terps, Earn Berth in Maryland Invite Final Sunday
March 10, 2007 | Softball
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Behind a solid performance from Kristen Schaus in the circle, the Princeton softball team (5-3) knocked off host Maryland (8-10) at the Maryland Invitational Saturday afternoon, 4-1.
Princeton will finish second in the round-robin standings based on the victory and will face Louisville in the tournament final Sunday at 1 p.m. Friday afternoon, the Cardinals shut out the Tigers, 5-0.
"I think it'll be a good game," Princeton head coach Maureen Barron said of Sunday's rematch with the Cardinals. "If we play the way we played today, it'll be a much better ballgame than what we showed them yesterday."
Schaus (2-2) got out of jams in the first and second inning, stranding a runner at third both times. The Princeton righthander allowed a leadoff double to Maryland's Amber Jackson to start the game, but got a shallow foul flyout, a strikeout and a groundout to leave her on the basepaths.
The following inning, the Terps' Alex Schultz singled with one out and moved over to third base on the next two batters, but Schaus again benefitted from a foul fly to end the frame.
"It felt like it was only a matter of time," Barron said about Schaus getting out of difficult situations. "We made the plays on defense and that kind of support behind you is a big lift of confidence. On all accounts, I think Kris pitched a great game. Again, we had timely hitting and played a good game in the field."
Meanwhile, Princeton had its chances to score on Maryland starter Stacey Jennings (3-7) as well. The Tigers loaded the bases with two out in the second thanks to three walks, but a groundout ended the threat.
Two innings later, in the fourth, Princeton got singles from Kathryn Welch and Calli Jo Varner, the second coming with two out, but stranded both.
The fifth inning was Princeton's breakthrough. Princeton benefitted from Schultz not being able to handle Stephanie Steel's grounder between first and second, and the speedy Tiger centerfielder beat out the delayed throw to start the inning.
After a sacrifice, Collette Abbott singled off pitcher Jennings and Kelsey Quist smashed a double down the left-field line to score both, giving Princeton a 2-0 lead.
After the run support, however, Schaus still had three Maryland at-bats to work through. In the sixth, a single and two walks loaded the bases with one out. Schultz lifted a fairly shallow fly to rightfield which Brianna Moreno hauled in. Despite the hit not being very deep, the Terps' Jenny Belak came home from third and was tagged out after a nice throw from Moreno.
Princeton's first scoring inning was Jennings' last in the circle for Maryland. The Tennessee transfer was only charged with one of Princeton's two runs on her watch thanks to the error, while giving up five hits, walking three and striking out five.
Maryland's Abbey Welch came in from centerfield to pitch and after getting through the sixth inning with only a walk, the Tigers padded the lead in the seventh. Jackie Araneo walked to lead off the inning and Kelsey Quist singled two batters later. With two outs, Kathryn Welch doubled off the wall in centerfield to score both, and Princeton led 4-0.
Welch finished with two hits and two walks allowed while striking out three in two innings of work.
Schaus lost the shutout in the seventh, when Abbey Welch cashed in a leadoff double from pinch hitter Sarde Stewart with a one-out single to bring Maryland within 4-1.
The Tiger pitcher finished with five hits and seven walks but got the win, striking out five along the way.