Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Softball to Open Season This Weekend in Maryland
February 29, 2012 | Softball
Five games over the weekend at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County will open the Princeton softball team's 48-game 2012 schedule.
The Tigers will face UMBC (2-6) at 1:35 p.m. Friday, followed by Niagara (0-5) at 5:20 p.m. Friday. Saturday, Princeton will take on Canisius (1-3) at 9:15 a.m., followed by James Madison (3-6) at 3:20 p.m. The tournament will close for the Tigers Sunday when they take on Canisius at 9:15 a.m. Princeton participated in last season's rain-shortened tournament at UMBC, going 1-2 against Siena, Iona and Liberty.
Princeton is 3-1 all-time against Canisius, last meeting the Golden Griffins in 2006. The Tigers split a 2008 twinbill against Niagara, are 1-1 against James Madison with the most recent meeting coming in 2008, and have never faced UMBC.
Princeton returns nine of 13 players from last season's team that finished 16-26 overall and 7-13 in the Ivy.
"The team is really excited to get back out on the field and compete this weekend after working hard in the off-season," Princeton coach Trina Salcido said.
Among the returnees are two of Princeton's top hitters from last season, junior outfielder Lizzy Pierce (.330) and senior infielder Kelsey VandeBergh (.314), both first-team All-Ivy selections a year ago. Senior outfielder Nicole Ontiveros, a second-team All-Ivy selection, and junior pitcher/first baseman Alex Peyton, an Ivy League honorable mention in 2011, are also back.
In the circle, Princeton returns junior Liza Kuhn (6-7, 8.21) and Peyton (6-12, 3.54). Two freshmen, Sarah McGowan and Meredith Brown, will be added to the mix.
"The diverse skills of each pitcher will provide a strong dynamic to the game rotation," assistant coach and pitching coach Sarah Losleben said.
McGowan and Brown are two of six freshmen on the 15-player roster. Freshmen Libby Crowe and Alyssa Schmidt will be part of the competition in the infield along with VandeBergh, junior Nikki Chu, sophomore Tory Roberts and Peyton when not pitching.
Behind the plate, the Tigers return sophomore Maddie Cousens and add freshman Cara Worden, while in the outfield, Princeton brings back Pierce, Ontiveros, junior Candy Button and freshman Rachel Rendina.
The Tigers will have eight home dates on the schedule this season, beginning March 30 when the Ivy League schedule opens against Dartmouth.