Softball drops two close matchups versus Princeton

After Saturday’s games were postponed, the Columbia softball team took to the field on Sunday to play a doubleheader against Princeton. The Lions’ difficulties in conference play continued, as they dropped both close games to the Tigers.

In the first game of the series, Princeton (10-14, 5-5 Ivy) managed to put three runs on the board in the final two innings to earn the 4-2, come-from-behind victory.

The Lions (12-22, 2-8) got on the board early when Keli Leong scored from third on a flyout by Maggie Johnson. Karen Tulig added a second run for Columbia when she homered in the third inning.

Form the third inning on, however, all runs would be scored by Princeton. A pair of homers by Jamie Lettire in the fourth and sixth innings knotted the game at 2-2. In the bottom of the seventh, it was Kelsey Quist who hit a two-run home run to lift the Tigers to a 4-2 victory.
Freshman pitcher Jessica Rakonza started the game for the Lions, and pitched a solid 4 2/3 innings, giving up only one run on five hits and two walks. Rakonza left the game with a lead, setting her up to earn the win. However, Erica Clauss, who came to the mound in relief of Rakonza, gave up three runs on three hits and a walk in just two innings, earning the loss.

In the second game of the day, Columbia trailed 6-1 entering the top of the fifth, but was able to pull within two runs of Princeton heading into the seventh inning. However, the Lions’ comeback was ultimately unsuccessful, as they dropped the second game 6-5.

The Tigers took an early lead in the first inning on a homer by Quist and an RBI single by Lettire. They would add four more runs in bottom of the third inning on a three-run home run by Quist and a homer by Lettire.

The first run for the Light Blue came in the top of the third, when Dani Pineda scored on a single by Johnson. However, the run was unearned as a fielding error had allowed Pineda to move from first to second.

The Lions’ almost-comeback was also the result of long ball, as Dani Pineda homered with runners on first and second to bring the score to 6-4 in the top of the fifth inning. Another home run by Pineda in the top of the seventh brought the score to 6-5, but Columbia was unable to complete the comeback.

Johnson got the loss for Columbia after pitching six innings and giving up six runs on nine hits and two walks, while striking out two.
The Light Blue will be in action again tomorrow when it makes up Saturday’s doubleheader at 3 p.m. at Class of 1895 Field.