Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Dayton
Players Mentioned
Softball Tigers Split on Season's First Day
February 27, 2009 | Softball
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. ? It wasn't a bad first effort for a Princeton softball team that hadn't played outside until it arrived at its season-opening tournament in Chattanooga, Tenn., as the Tigers topped Dayton, 9-3. In the nightcap, however, Chattanooga jumped to an early lead and held it for an 8-0, six-inning win.
In the opener, sophomore Michelle Tolfa tossed a complete-game five-hitter as the Tigers provided enough muscle at the plate to strike first as well as come from behind.
Junior Jamie Lettire, a third-team All-America last season, homered as part of a two-run fourth inning that put the Tigers (1-1) ahead.
After Dayton (2-8) put three runs on the board in the sixth off Tolfa, the Tigers exploded for seven runs in the bottom of the inning. Rookie Kelsey VandeBergh and junior Kelsey Quist each had bases-clearing doubles to stake the Tigers to the 9-3 final margin. Tolfa struck out a career-best seven batters in the win.
Chattanooga (7-11) scored four first-inning runs off starting pitcher Lettire and clinched the 8-0 run-rule win with three in the sixth. Princeton had just three hits in the nightcap with Quist's double as the only one for extra bases.
The Tigers are scheduled to play two more Saturday, weather permitting, against Toledo at 12:30 and Tennessee Tech following.