Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Stetson
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Stetson Picks Up 5-3 Comeback Win over Princeton Softball
March 24, 2007 | Softball
DeLAND, Fla. -- The losing skid reached six for the Princeton softball team when a four-run fifth inning for Stetson overcame a two-run Princeton lead on the way to a 5-3 Hatter win.
The loss dropped Princeton to 9-15 with one game left on its spring trip. Stetson improved to 24-9.
Princeton took its 2-0 lead with a pair of runs in the fourth. The inning got going with Jackie Araneo lacing a leadoff single to the hole at shortstop, and Erin Miller worked a walk instead of having to sacrifice.
Lauren Bierman followed with a perfect sacrifice that settled just in front of home plate, moving Araneo to third and Miller to second. Larkin Brogan then hit a bouncer back to Stetson pitcher Heather Colding, who hesitated and threw home. But Araneo deftly slid around the tag, and Princeton had its first run. Beth Dalmut followed with a groundout, but it was slow enough to score Miller from third for the second run.
Princeton starter Jamie Lettire (2-3) didn't allow a baserunner through the first three innings, but got into trouble in the fourth. She issued a four-pitch walk to Stetson's leading hitter, Sherrel Fountain, and Nicole Forbes reached on a booted ball at third base.
Lettire then hit Blythe Golden to load the bases, and after a strikeout, Lettire lost Katie Lawrence after a full count to walk in a run. Fortunately for the Tigers, the inning ended when Lettire got pinch hitter Amanda Lindsey to strike out looking with the bases loaded.
The trouble continued in the fifth. The first three Hatters drew walks, loading the bases with no outs. Forbes then flew out to left, driving in the tying run from third. With two outs and runners on the corners, Stetson made its first hit a huge one when Golden put the Hatters ahead 5-2, driving a home run to left.
Princeton cut one run off the deficit in the sixth, but couldn't close the gap. Araneo singled and Miller doubled to start the inning, and two batters later, Brogan grounded out to bring home Araneo and bring Princeton within 5-3.
Lettire left after allowing a hit and a walk to start the sixth. It was just her second hit of the game to go with six walks and three hit batters. She earned four of the five runs, striking out eight.
Calli Jo Varner entered for the last two outs of the sixth, giving up only a walk.
Colding (8-5) left after the sixth. She allowed six hits and a walk, striking out two and earning all three runs. Erica Demers threw a perfect seventh and earned her second save of the year.
The Tigers will face Kent State at 9 a.m. to close its spring break before heading back north.