It was another disappointing weekend for the Penn softball team, but at least it could be proud of something: The Quakers toppled previous Ivy undefeated Princeton, 7-2, in game one of yesterday's doubleheader at Princeton, N.J.
The other three games were undoubtedly frustrating for the Red and Blue, as they lost them by just five runs combined.
Princeton 4, Penn 2
Two first-inning runs from the Quakers seemed like a good omen. With men on second and third, third baseman/pitcher Taylor Tieman doubled to right-center field, scoring Keiko Uraguchi and Alisha Prystowsky (who had reached on an error by Princeton second baseman Collette Abbott).
That would be the most offense that Penn was able to muster.
Princeton's Kristin Arguedas tagged Jess Lupardus for a two-run homer in the second inning, and some small-ball earned the Tigers another two runs in the fifth.
Tigers pitcher Kristen Schaus eventually settled down to pitch 3.1 innings, and Michelle Tolfa came in and kept the Quakers scoreless.
Princeton 6, Penn 4
Junior Emily Denstedt got the start for the Quakers and looked good through the first four innings. She gave up a run in the third, which Penn got back in the top of the fifth.
But in the bottom half, Denstedt walked leadoff batter Megan Weidrick and then was hit for a single up the middle by Kathryn Welch.
Penn coach Leslie King pulled Denstedt in favor of Tieman, but the Tigers just rolled over her. Tieman gave up a walk to load the bases and then a single to her circle counterpart, Jamie Lettire, which scored two. Princeton added three more runs on Tieman in the inning.
But an error in the top of the sixth by Princeton rightfielder Kelsey Quist let the Quakers into the game. They eventually scored a run off that and two in the seventh, but the comeback fell short.
Penn 7, Princeton 2
A night of rest did the Red and Blue well, as Leslie King's squad finally found its offense. Behind seven strong innings from Lupardus, the Quakers rang Schaus up for a pair of dingers.
Penn's Annie Kinsey jacked a three-run shot to right-center field in the fourth, and Prystowsky capped off the game with a solo homer in the top of the seventh.
Princeton 7, Penn 6
Denstedt picked up where she left off for the Quakers - getting hit. In just 2.1 innings, she was tagged for seven earned runs and seven hits.
It started with a Lettire leadoff homer in the bottom of the second, and the floodgates burst open in the third. The Tigers got hit after hit and run after run.
Lupardus came in to put out the fire, and Penn added six runs in the final two innings, but it was too late.
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