Princeton University Athletics
Friday, March 14
Sacramento, Calif.
10 a.m. PT
Princeton University
2
vs
11
California
Players Mentioned
IF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
Seventh-Inning Rally Spoils Softball's Bid for Twinbill Split
March 14, 2008 | Softball
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A couple of big innings late for the Princeton softball team's opponents dealt the Tigers a pair of losses on the opening day of their spring trip in Sacramento, Calif.
Princeton fell 11-2 in five innings to California, which is receiving votes in both the NFCA coaches poll and USA Softball polls, and 4-3 to tournament host Sacramento State at the Sacramento Softball Complex.
California 11, Princeton 2 (5 inn.)
A seven-run fourth inning put Princeton's opener away for good in favor of California (21-9) in a 11-2 five-inning Bears win.
Princeton led early when Kathryn Welch put a solo shot over the fencing in left-center for her first home run of the season, but California manufactured a run in the bottom of the first to pull square.
Berkeley went ahead 4-1 in the third when the first four batters of the inning reached base. Cal's Sanoe Kekahuna had the first two of her six RBI in the frame with a two-run single.
Princeton got one run back in the top of the fourth to cut it to 4-2 when Welch led off with a double and Kristin Arguedas' sacrifice fly later in the inning, but Cal struck back in its next at-bat.
The Bears sent 10 batters to the plate in the fourth, getting a grand slam from Kekahuna and a two-run shot from Julie Meyer, a native of Princeton's own Mercer County, to move the game into run-rule territory at 11-2.
Kristen Schaus threw into the fourth inning before being relieved by Michelle Tolfa. Schaus (1-5) was charged with seven of Cal's runs while striking out four and giving up six hits. Tolfa allowed three hits and struck out one batter in her two-thirds of an inning.
Sacramento State 4, Princeton 3
Princeton had a one-run lead entering the seventh inning but Sacramento State (11-10) survived a pair of two-out, two-strike situations to rally and take the lead.
Each team scored two runs in the first, with the Hornets getting back-to-back solo home runs off starter Jamie Lettire before Michelle Tolfa entered to relieve. Princeton responded in the bottom half of the inning when Kelsey Quist tied it with a two-run shot.
The deadlock stood until the bottom of the third when Princeton pulled ahead with back-to-back singles and a sacrifice fly from Kathryn Welch for a 3-2 Tiger lead.
After three scoreless innings, Sacramento State had a runner on first and two out in the top of the seventh before getting a double and a two-run single to turn a one-run deficit into a one-run lead.
Schaus (1-6) threw six of the seven innings, allowing six hits and striking out four.
Princeton will return to the Sacramento Softball Complex Saturday for games against Colorado State and Cal Poly at 12:30 and 3 p.m.
Princeton fell 11-2 in five innings to California, which is receiving votes in both the NFCA coaches poll and USA Softball polls, and 4-3 to tournament host Sacramento State at the Sacramento Softball Complex.
California 11, Princeton 2 (5 inn.)
A seven-run fourth inning put Princeton's opener away for good in favor of California (21-9) in a 11-2 five-inning Bears win.
Princeton led early when Kathryn Welch put a solo shot over the fencing in left-center for her first home run of the season, but California manufactured a run in the bottom of the first to pull square.
Berkeley went ahead 4-1 in the third when the first four batters of the inning reached base. Cal's Sanoe Kekahuna had the first two of her six RBI in the frame with a two-run single.
Princeton got one run back in the top of the fourth to cut it to 4-2 when Welch led off with a double and Kristin Arguedas' sacrifice fly later in the inning, but Cal struck back in its next at-bat.
The Bears sent 10 batters to the plate in the fourth, getting a grand slam from Kekahuna and a two-run shot from Julie Meyer, a native of Princeton's own Mercer County, to move the game into run-rule territory at 11-2.
Kristen Schaus threw into the fourth inning before being relieved by Michelle Tolfa. Schaus (1-5) was charged with seven of Cal's runs while striking out four and giving up six hits. Tolfa allowed three hits and struck out one batter in her two-thirds of an inning.
Sacramento State 4, Princeton 3
Princeton had a one-run lead entering the seventh inning but Sacramento State (11-10) survived a pair of two-out, two-strike situations to rally and take the lead.
Each team scored two runs in the first, with the Hornets getting back-to-back solo home runs off starter Jamie Lettire before Michelle Tolfa entered to relieve. Princeton responded in the bottom half of the inning when Kelsey Quist tied it with a two-run shot.
The deadlock stood until the bottom of the third when Princeton pulled ahead with back-to-back singles and a sacrifice fly from Kathryn Welch for a 3-2 Tiger lead.
After three scoreless innings, Sacramento State had a runner on first and two out in the top of the seventh before getting a double and a two-run single to turn a one-run deficit into a one-run lead.
Schaus (1-6) threw six of the seven innings, allowing six hits and striking out four.
Princeton will return to the Sacramento Softball Complex Saturday for games against Colorado State and Cal Poly at 12:30 and 3 p.m.
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