PRINCETON, N.J. – The Columbia softball team pitched its way to a series victory on Saturday taking both halves of a twin billing over host Princeton. The Lions defeated the Tigers 2-1 in game one before taking the night cap 3-1.
"Today was a good day for the Lions," head coach
Jennifer Teague said. "I'm really proud of our timely hitting, strong defense, and gritty pitching. Emmy set the tone with a great performance in game one, and Jordan did a fantastic job handling their hitters all weekend. The team showed a lot of grit, and I couldn't be prouder."
Columbia (17-16, 9-6 Ivy) hand Princeton (18-15, 12-3 Ivy) its first conference series loss of the season, and first home series loss since the 2024 season. The Lions have now won back-to-back series against the Tigers.
GAME ONE RECAP
Game one starter
Emmy Davis (6-4) set the tone with a brilliant pitching performance. The first-year starter tossed five shutout innings scattering four hits en route to her sixth win of the season. Fellow first-year
Caylene Nguyen pitched the final two innings to earn her first save of the year.
With the two sides unable to get anything going against either pitcher, the Lions broke the scoreless tie in the top of the fourth inning.
Payton Shimansky started the rally with a double to left center. She advanced to third on the ground out to second by
Cami Neal.
With two outs,
Maddie Souza came up clutch, scorching a ball to left field to give the Lions the lead. Columbia added an insurance run in the top of the seventh when
Olivia Madkins singled up the middle to score Souza from second.
Taking the loss for Princeton in game one was starter Cassidy Shaw (9-6). Shaw tossed 6.1 innings, allowing seven hits, two earned runs with a walk and three strikeouts.
GAME TWO RECAP
In the nightcap the Lions scored the opening run of the contest in the top of the first inning. Shimansky notched her second double of the day to start the rally. She moved to third on the single by
Sarah Mikami and scored on the infield single off the bat of Neal.
Jordan Hill (6-7) got the shutdown inning in the top of the first, pitching around a one out double from Braeden Hale to keep the momentum with the Lions. Hill was exceptional at working her way out of trouble on Saturday.
In the bottom of the fifth the Tigers mounted their only threat of the contest. Lauren Pappert led off with a single up the middle. She advanced to third on the double down the right field line from Sonia Zhang. A fly ball to center field was deep enough for Pappert to score, but that would be it for the Tigers as Hill ended the threat getting a foul out and a fly out to center to end the frame.
Columbia added an insurance run in the sixth on the RBI single from pinch hitter
Tatum Hubble. Neal knocked in her second run of the game in the top of the seventh to make it 3-1 in favor of the Lions.
The two-run cushion was more than enough for Hill who closed it out for her fifth complete game of the season and 16th of her career. She tossed 7.0 complete, scattering seven hits, a run with three walks and a strikeout.
The loss went to Brielle Wright (7-5) who went 6.2 innings, allowing six hits, two runs, one earned with a walk and four strikeouts.
UP NEXT
Columbia begins a season-long six game homestand on Saturday, April 26 when Cornell comes to Columbia Softball Stadium. Saturday's double header is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. with game two slated for a 3 p.m. first pitch.
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
Stay up to date on all things Columbia Softball by following the Lions on X (@CULionsSoftball), Instagram (@culionssoftball) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaSoftball).
