Saturday, April 27
New York, N.Y.
1:00 P.M.
Columbia University
vs
Penn
Photo by: Eric Espada/Columbia University
Columbia Set to Host Penn for Alumnae Weekend
4/26/2019 2:07:00 PM | Softball
Hit-A-Thon to take place after Saturday’s doubleheader
NEW YORK — The Ivy League-leading Columbia softball team (20-17, 11-4 Ivy) will host Penn (21-15, 12-6 Ivy) for a three-game series this Saturday and Sunday at the Columbia Softball Stadium. A doubleheader will be held Saturday beginning at 12:30 p.m. The final game of the series is set for Sunday with first pitch also at 12:30 p.m.
The softball program welcomes back its former players for alumnae weekend. As part of the weekend festivities, the Lions will also be holding their third-annual Hit-A-Thon after Saturday's doubleheader. All proceeds from the Hit-A-Thon directly benefit Columbia softball. For more information, or to sign up for the Hit-A-Thon, please click here.
All three games this weekend will be streamed live on ESPN+. ESPN+ is a new, subscription-based service that offers monthly ($4.99) and yearly ($49.99) plans. Click here to subscribe to ESPN+ and start your free trial. Click here for frequently asked questions about the Ivy League on ESPN.
Live stats will be provided by GoColumbiaLions.com. Fans can also keep up with the action on Twitter by following @CULionsSoftball.
LAST TIME OUT
Columbia beat up on Wagner pitching for 10 runs on 10 hits and began a seven-game homestand with an impressive, 10-2, victory in six innings on Wednesday. Max Ortega was 3-for-3 with two runs and three RBIs while Abby Stuart was 1-for-3 with a three-run homer. Maria Pagane and Hailey Wetherill had two hits apiece and combined for five runs. In the circle, Madison Canby tossed her 10th complete game of the season with six strong innings. She allowed just two hits through the final four frames and struck out a season-high seven.
The Lions took two of three from Yale in their last Ivy League series, splitting Sunday's doubleheader before going on to win the rubber game, 3-0, on Tuesday. The game got pushed back due to a rainout on Saturday. Alexa Pinarski was brilliant in the circle as the Lions won the series, taking a no-hit bid into the sixth inning on her way to a two-hit shutout. The Lions pushed across three unearned runs in the middle innings. Sunday was highlighted by Madison Canby winning her 30th career game, becoming just the fourth pitcher in program history to accomplish the feat. A tie game at the end of seven innings was broken open when the Lions scored three in the eighth, all with two outs, to win the series opener.
IVY LEAGUE RACE
Columbia enters the weekend tied atop the Ivy League standings with Harvard. The 11-4 record is Columbia's best through 15 games in program history and marks just the second time they've won at least 11 Ivy games in a season (13-8, 2018). Penn sits a half-game behind the Lions and Crimson at 12-6 while Princeton is two games back at 9-6.
IVY LEAGUE STANDINGS
CLINCHING SCENARIOS
Columbia can clinch a berth to its first Ivy League Playoff Series this weekend with a sweep over Penn and at least one loss by Princeton. The Tigers will be in Ithaca taking on Cornell. There are other scenarios in which Columbia could clinch a berth by winning two out of three this weekend. Tiebreakers would have to be calculated based on the outcomes of this weekend's league games.
Columbia can clinch at least a share of its first Ivy League title this weekend if it sweeps Penn, Princeton loses once and Harvard gets swept by Yale.
20-WIN SEASON
Columbia's win on Wednesday was its 20th this season, marking the program's third consecutive season with at least 20 wins. The program record is 27, accomplished by the 2002 team that went 27-23 (.540) over 50 games. The 2002 team also owns the program record in winning percentage. The Lions could break that record by winning four of their last six regular season games.
COLUMBIA BULLETS
- Columbia leads the Ivy League in triples (12), runs (175), RBIs (156) and walks (105). The Lions rank No. 2 in batting average (.282), home runs (23), total bases (398), slugging (.428) and on-base percentage (.363).
- Sommer Grzybek is one home run away from 24 in her career, which would tie her with Taylor Troutt '18CC for second all-time. Grzybek has eight home runs on the season, which leads the Ivy League, and is two shy of tying the program's single-season record. She is also No. 3 in the Ivy League in slugging (.709) and No. 6 in RBIs (24).
- Sophomore third baseman Max Ortega and sophomore shortstop Maria Pagane rank first and second, respectively, in the Ivy League in runs scored (29, 27). Ortega also leads the league in hits (47), RBIs (36) and total bases (72), while ranking top-five in batting average (.412), slugging (.632), doubles (10) and triples (3). Pagane leads the way in triples with four.
- First-year Abby Stuart ranks third in the Ivy league in RBIs (26) and home runs (6).
- Columbia boasts three of the Ivy League's top six players in RBIs in Ortega (36), Stuart (26) and Grzybek (24).
- Maria Pagane is hitting a team-best .426 in Ivy League play with 15 runs and 10 RBIs. She is on an eight-game hitting streak in which she is hitting .367 with 10 runs, three doubles and two triples. Earlier this season, Pagane put together a career-long 13-game hitting streak (March 2-24).
- Junior pitcher Madison Canby (8-7) leads the Ivy League with 10 complete games and leads the Columbia pitching staff with a 3.12 ERA, 55 strikeouts and 101.1 innings pitched. She has two shutouts on the season and 31 career wins, which ranks third-most in program history.
- First-year pitcher Alexa Pinarski (11-7) ranks second in the Ivy League in wins and has thrown 101 innings with eight complete games, third-most in the league. Against Ivy competition, she is 7-2 and carries a 2.98 ERA with six complete games and two shutouts.
- Columbia's pitching staff carries a 3.24 ERA in Ivy League play, which ranks No. 2 in the Ancient Eight.
IVY LEAGUE WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS
February 25: Sommer Grzybek – Player of the Week
March 18: Max Ortega – Player of the Week
March 25: Max Ortega – Player of the Week
April 15: Sommer Grzybek – Player of the Week
April 15: Abby Stuart – Rookie of the Week
IVY LEAGUE WEEKLY HONOR ROLL
February 25: Madison Canby, Max Ortega, Abby Stuart
March 4: Erin Gallo, Maria Pagane
March 18: Sommer Grzybek, Alexa Pinarski, Alex Yule
March 25: Madison Canby, Amanda Nishihira, Maria Pagane, Alexa Pinarski
April 1: Maria Pagane, Alexa Pinarski
April 8: Maria Pagane, Genny Soltesz
April 15: Madison Canby
April 22: Madison Canby, Max Ortega, Maria Pagane
SCOUTING PENN
This weekend's series will serve as the final three Ivy League games for Penn. The Quakers swept Brown last weekend in Philadelphia and have won four straight league games. Their offense boasts the top batting average (.325), slugging percentage (.457) and on-base percentage (.392) in the Ivy League. Those top rankings also hold true against Ivy competition, where they are hitting .372 with a .528 slugging percentage and .440 on-base percentage. Kayla Ketring is hitting .431 on the season, second-best in the Ancient Eight, while Emma Nedley (.385) and Sarah Cwiertnia (.360) both also rank among the league's top-10 in hitting. Nedley has hit a team-best five homers with 22 RBIs. Penn's entire starting lineup is hitting north of .300 in conference play. The pitching staff is led by Jennifer Brann (6-5), who carries a 2.61 ERA in 77.2 innings pitched. She has made 12 starts and tossed six complete games, striking out 58. Tabitha Dyer (7-2, 2.77 ERA) has pitched 65.2 innings and has four complete games. Julia Longo (5-4, 3.38 ERA) has thrown an even 60 innings with three complete games.
THE SERIES
The series between the Lions and Quakers dates back to 2001 with Penn holding a 41-19 advantage. However, Columbia took two of three last season in Philadelphia with a pair of extra-inning victories. The Lions will look to avenge two losses Penn handed them two years ago in New York.
The softball program welcomes back its former players for alumnae weekend. As part of the weekend festivities, the Lions will also be holding their third-annual Hit-A-Thon after Saturday's doubleheader. All proceeds from the Hit-A-Thon directly benefit Columbia softball. For more information, or to sign up for the Hit-A-Thon, please click here.
REMINDER | Sign up for our 3rd annual Hit-A-Thon, which will take place this Saturday following the doubleheader against Penn. All proceeds directly benefit the 🦁🥎 program. More info ⬇️
— Columbia Softball (@CULionsSoftball) April 22, 2019
➡️ https://t.co/2dVrOLDoGO pic.twitter.com/Hh37K3Weah
All three games this weekend will be streamed live on ESPN+. ESPN+ is a new, subscription-based service that offers monthly ($4.99) and yearly ($49.99) plans. Click here to subscribe to ESPN+ and start your free trial. Click here for frequently asked questions about the Ivy League on ESPN.
Live stats will be provided by GoColumbiaLions.com. Fans can also keep up with the action on Twitter by following @CULionsSoftball.
LAST TIME OUT
Columbia beat up on Wagner pitching for 10 runs on 10 hits and began a seven-game homestand with an impressive, 10-2, victory in six innings on Wednesday. Max Ortega was 3-for-3 with two runs and three RBIs while Abby Stuart was 1-for-3 with a three-run homer. Maria Pagane and Hailey Wetherill had two hits apiece and combined for five runs. In the circle, Madison Canby tossed her 10th complete game of the season with six strong innings. She allowed just two hits through the final four frames and struck out a season-high seven.
The Lions took two of three from Yale in their last Ivy League series, splitting Sunday's doubleheader before going on to win the rubber game, 3-0, on Tuesday. The game got pushed back due to a rainout on Saturday. Alexa Pinarski was brilliant in the circle as the Lions won the series, taking a no-hit bid into the sixth inning on her way to a two-hit shutout. The Lions pushed across three unearned runs in the middle innings. Sunday was highlighted by Madison Canby winning her 30th career game, becoming just the fourth pitcher in program history to accomplish the feat. A tie game at the end of seven innings was broken open when the Lions scored three in the eighth, all with two outs, to win the series opener.
🎥 Here's the final out from Alexa Pinarski's 2-hit shutout over Yale! 🦁🥎 improves to 11-4 in the @IvyLeague. #RoarLionRoar #Team20 pic.twitter.com/74WVos02rw
— Columbia Softball (@CULionsSoftball) April 23, 2019
IVY LEAGUE RACE
Columbia enters the weekend tied atop the Ivy League standings with Harvard. The 11-4 record is Columbia's best through 15 games in program history and marks just the second time they've won at least 11 Ivy games in a season (13-8, 2018). Penn sits a half-game behind the Lions and Crimson at 12-6 while Princeton is two games back at 9-6.
IVY LEAGUE STANDINGS
| Rk. | Team | Ivy League | Games Back |
| 1. | Columbia | 11-4 | -- |
| Harvard | 11-4 | -- | |
| 3. | Penn | 12-6 | 0.5 |
| 4. | Princeton | 9-6 | 2.0 |
| 5. | Yale | 9-9 | 3.5 |
| 6. | Dartmouth | 5-10 | 6.0 |
| 7. | Brown | 3-12 | 8.0 |
| 8. | Cornell | 3-12 | 8.0 |
CLINCHING SCENARIOS
Columbia can clinch a berth to its first Ivy League Playoff Series this weekend with a sweep over Penn and at least one loss by Princeton. The Tigers will be in Ithaca taking on Cornell. There are other scenarios in which Columbia could clinch a berth by winning two out of three this weekend. Tiebreakers would have to be calculated based on the outcomes of this weekend's league games.
Columbia can clinch at least a share of its first Ivy League title this weekend if it sweeps Penn, Princeton loses once and Harvard gets swept by Yale.
20-WIN SEASON
Columbia's win on Wednesday was its 20th this season, marking the program's third consecutive season with at least 20 wins. The program record is 27, accomplished by the 2002 team that went 27-23 (.540) over 50 games. The 2002 team also owns the program record in winning percentage. The Lions could break that record by winning four of their last six regular season games.
COLUMBIA BULLETS
- Columbia leads the Ivy League in triples (12), runs (175), RBIs (156) and walks (105). The Lions rank No. 2 in batting average (.282), home runs (23), total bases (398), slugging (.428) and on-base percentage (.363).
- Sommer Grzybek is one home run away from 24 in her career, which would tie her with Taylor Troutt '18CC for second all-time. Grzybek has eight home runs on the season, which leads the Ivy League, and is two shy of tying the program's single-season record. She is also No. 3 in the Ivy League in slugging (.709) and No. 6 in RBIs (24).
- Sophomore third baseman Max Ortega and sophomore shortstop Maria Pagane rank first and second, respectively, in the Ivy League in runs scored (29, 27). Ortega also leads the league in hits (47), RBIs (36) and total bases (72), while ranking top-five in batting average (.412), slugging (.632), doubles (10) and triples (3). Pagane leads the way in triples with four.
- First-year Abby Stuart ranks third in the Ivy league in RBIs (26) and home runs (6).
- Columbia boasts three of the Ivy League's top six players in RBIs in Ortega (36), Stuart (26) and Grzybek (24).
- Maria Pagane is hitting a team-best .426 in Ivy League play with 15 runs and 10 RBIs. She is on an eight-game hitting streak in which she is hitting .367 with 10 runs, three doubles and two triples. Earlier this season, Pagane put together a career-long 13-game hitting streak (March 2-24).
- Junior pitcher Madison Canby (8-7) leads the Ivy League with 10 complete games and leads the Columbia pitching staff with a 3.12 ERA, 55 strikeouts and 101.1 innings pitched. She has two shutouts on the season and 31 career wins, which ranks third-most in program history.
- First-year pitcher Alexa Pinarski (11-7) ranks second in the Ivy League in wins and has thrown 101 innings with eight complete games, third-most in the league. Against Ivy competition, she is 7-2 and carries a 2.98 ERA with six complete games and two shutouts.
- Columbia's pitching staff carries a 3.24 ERA in Ivy League play, which ranks No. 2 in the Ancient Eight.
IVY LEAGUE WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS
February 25: Sommer Grzybek – Player of the Week
March 18: Max Ortega – Player of the Week
March 25: Max Ortega – Player of the Week
April 15: Sommer Grzybek – Player of the Week
April 15: Abby Stuart – Rookie of the Week
IVY LEAGUE WEEKLY HONOR ROLL
February 25: Madison Canby, Max Ortega, Abby Stuart
March 4: Erin Gallo, Maria Pagane
March 18: Sommer Grzybek, Alexa Pinarski, Alex Yule
March 25: Madison Canby, Amanda Nishihira, Maria Pagane, Alexa Pinarski
April 1: Maria Pagane, Alexa Pinarski
April 8: Maria Pagane, Genny Soltesz
April 15: Madison Canby
April 22: Madison Canby, Max Ortega, Maria Pagane
SCOUTING PENN
This weekend's series will serve as the final three Ivy League games for Penn. The Quakers swept Brown last weekend in Philadelphia and have won four straight league games. Their offense boasts the top batting average (.325), slugging percentage (.457) and on-base percentage (.392) in the Ivy League. Those top rankings also hold true against Ivy competition, where they are hitting .372 with a .528 slugging percentage and .440 on-base percentage. Kayla Ketring is hitting .431 on the season, second-best in the Ancient Eight, while Emma Nedley (.385) and Sarah Cwiertnia (.360) both also rank among the league's top-10 in hitting. Nedley has hit a team-best five homers with 22 RBIs. Penn's entire starting lineup is hitting north of .300 in conference play. The pitching staff is led by Jennifer Brann (6-5), who carries a 2.61 ERA in 77.2 innings pitched. She has made 12 starts and tossed six complete games, striking out 58. Tabitha Dyer (7-2, 2.77 ERA) has pitched 65.2 innings and has four complete games. Julia Longo (5-4, 3.38 ERA) has thrown an even 60 innings with three complete games.
THE SERIES
The series between the Lions and Quakers dates back to 2001 with Penn holding a 41-19 advantage. However, Columbia took two of three last season in Philadelphia with a pair of extra-inning victories. The Lions will look to avenge two losses Penn handed them two years ago in New York.
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