Softball preps for conference season opener

With four days off since its last game, the Columbia softball team (5-14) should be well-rested in time for the Ivy League schedule to begin, as the Light Blue will take on Yale (4-11) and Brown (11-6) this weekend.

The Lions had the second game of their doubleheader against Manhattan scratched last Sunday and saw Tuesday’s contest against Monmouth canceled because of rain. The team split a pair of games against Iona last Saturday before losing to the Jaspers to finish with a home record of 1-2.

The Light Blue lost the two games it played against Yale last year in New Haven. Kayla Kuretich threw three scoreless innings to seal the 2-0 shutout victory for the Bulldogs, and she leads the team again this year with a 2.15 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 42 1/3 innings over eight appearances. Senior Holly Gutterud and freshman Jackie Manzer both have ERAs of 3.00 or less with at least 23 innings pitched apiece.

The problem for the Bulldogs this season has been offense, where they have scored a paltry 29 runs while hitting just .223 through 15 games. Ashley Sloan leads the team with a .294 batting average while Christy Nelson has a team high of two home runs, 19 total bases, and a .487 slugging percentage.

Columbia managed to win one of its two games against Brown last season in Providence. The Bears also boast a stellar pitching staff that has a 2.47 ERA in 119 innings this year. Freshman Liz DiMascio has pitched a team-high 54 1/3 innings with a 2.96 ERA, while junior Kristie Chin has a 0.47 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 30 innings. Sophomore Trish Melvin, who threw two scoreless innings against the Lions last year, has a 2.97 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 30 2/3 innings.

On offense, infielder Stephanie Thompson has a .417 average and 32 total bases in 17 starts. Sophomore Kate Strobel leads her team with seven home runs while driving in 17 runs with a .400 average. Senior Katie Rothamel has a .327 batting average with one home run and 17 RBI.

Columbia will host a doubleheader against Yale on Friday with games at 2 and 4 p.m. before facing Brown at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.