Softball Falls to Princeton Late

Saturday, March 28

New York, N.Y.

12:30 PM

Columbia

10-14, 2-2

Princeton

14-9, 4-0

Princeton

Columbia

Photo by: Columbia University Athletics / Lem Photography

3/28/2026 4:26:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Sarah Mikami slugs 14th career home run in defeat

NEW YORK – The Columbia softball team struck first thanks to a towering two-run blast in the bottom of the second from Sarah Mikami, but the Lions could not hold on to the lead, falling to Princeton 5-2 in the opener of a three-game series on Saturday at the Columbia Softball Stadium.

Pitching dominated most of the afternoon with both teams' starters holding the opposition to four combined runs. Princeton (14-9, 4-0 Ivy) broke through four with four runs late to steal the win.

Columbia (10-14, 2-2 Ivy) got a stellar start from Mads Lawson, who struck out seven in 4.1 innings of work. She scattered five hits, two runs - one earned, and a walk. The pitch count got to Lawson, who exited the game with two on in the top of the fifth.

Caylene Nguyen (3-2) got the Lions out of the jam, getting an inning-ending double play to end the fifth, but ran into trouble in the sixth. With the game tied 2-2, Princeton's Julieta Roa drew a leadoff walk and stole second to move into scoring position. She scored on an infield single from Mia Valenzula when the throw at home was dropped.

Princeton added two more insurance runs in the seventh on a two-run double from Julia Dumais. The three-run cushion was more than enough for starter Cassidy Shaw (5-2), who settled down after surrendering the home run to Mikami. She went 6.2 innings, surrendering five hits, two runs, with two walks and two strikeouts. Brielle Wright entered the game in the seventh and nailed down the save.

Columbia broke through in the second inning, Juju O'Brien singled to start the rally, and Mikami followed with a two-run home run to center field, giving the Lions an early lead. The home run was the second of the year for Mikami and the 14th of her career. She is now tied for eighth most in program history with former Lion Amanda Nishihira (2017-20).

The bottom of the order was where the Lions were most productive today. O'Brien went 2-for-2 with a run and a walk. Kyra Mason went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles.

Princeton's top of the order did most of the offensive damage on the day. The trio of Sonia Zhang, Graciela Dominguez and Dumas combined to go 8-for-12 with four runs scored and four driven in.

Dominguez clubbed her first home run of the year in the top of the third to get the Tigers on the board. Zhang's tripled in the fifth and scored the tying run on an RBI ground ball from Dominguez.

The series resumes with a doubleheader on Sunday, with game one scheduled for a 12:35 p.m. first pitch.

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