Softball: Penn sweeps Princeton in 4-game series

The Quakers struck first in the opening game of the series when outfielder Jessica Melendez scored on a ground ball from outfielder Elysse Gorney in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Princeton pushed back in the top of the sixth. After sophomore outfielder Candy Button singled and junior third baseman Kelsey VandeBergh walked, sophomore outfielder Lizzy Pierce drove both home with a two-run single to put the Tigers up 2-1.

Penn, however, rallied in the bottom of the frame. Designated player Justine Payne scored on second baseman Samantha Erosa’s single to tie the game. Erosa then scored on an error by VandeBergh. Shortstop Stephanie Caso, who reached second base on the play, scored on the next at-bat when catcher Alisha Prystowsky singled to centerfield, putting the Quakers up 4-2 for good.

The second game on Friday was similarly close, as senior starter Michelle Tolfa and Penn starter Cailyn Hennessy each gave up seven hits. Penn went up by a run early in the bottom of the third when Prystowsky drove in Erosa. Erosa scored again in the bottom of the fifth off a Caso single.

The Tigers attempted a comeback in the top of the sixth, as Button scored on a ground ball from sophomore first baseman Alex Peyton. Princeton could not tie up the game, though, as VandeBergh was left stranded and the Tigers could not rally in the seventh. VandeBergh finished the game 3-for-3 at the plate.

Princeton took an early lead on Sunday when junior outfielder Nicole Ontiveros drove in freshman catcher Maddie Cousins. But the Tigers could not capitalize on an opportunity to score more runs, as they left the bases loaded.

Princeton took advantage of Penn starter Mikenzie Voves’ control issues in the top of the third inning, as the Tigers pushed across a run on two walks, a sacrifice bunt and a wild pitch to take a 2-0 lead.

Unfortunately for the Tigers, a series of defensive lapses allowed the Quakers to tie the game. After a single, a hit batter and a wild pitch, Erosa came home on a wild pitch and Prystowsky scored on an error.

Princeton had similar problems in the sixth, as two more Penn batters were hit by pitches. Five runs came across the plate, and Penn retired the side in the final inning for a 7-2 victory. Ontiveros went 3-for-4 and VandeBergh earned a hit in both of her at-bats.

The Tigers scored first again in the nightcap, when VandeBergh scored on Pierce’s double in the top of the first. Penn struck back quickly in the same frame when Gorney, third baseman Kayla Dahlerbruch and outfielder Brooke Coloma scored to put the Quakers up 3-1.

Penn continued its offensive dominance in the bottom of the second inning, when Prystowsky hit a two-run home run. She drove in two more runners with a double in the bottom of the fourth before scoring on a groundout.

The Quakers were up 8-1, and Princeton’s only successful attempt at a comeback came at the top of the sixth when VandeBergh scored as freshman infielder Tory Roberts reached first on a fielder’s choice. The Tigers surrendered that run in the bottom of the same inning when Erosa scored on a wild pitch, and Penn won the game 9-2.

Get the best of the ‘Prince’ delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe now »

After the weekend sweep, Princeton must regroup to face Monmouth in a doubleheader on Wednesday at home and play a four-game series against Columbia this weekend to compete in the Ivy League.