The Columbia softball team was eliminated from postseason play after an 8-0 defeat against top-seeded Princeton on May 9 at Cynthia Lynn Paul ’94 Field. The game, shortened to five innings due to the run rule, concluded the Lions’ season.
The outcome marked the end of a competitive campaign for Columbia, which finished with a record of 22-23. Despite early opportunities in the first inning, including hits by Nguyen and Sarah Mikami, Columbia was unable to score against Princeton pitcher Cassidy Shaw. The Tigers built their lead with a decisive five-run fourth inning and added three more runs in the fifth.
Pitcher Mads Lawson took the loss for Columbia after allowing five runs on six hits over 3.2 innings and striking out three batters. Four of those hits came with two strikes on the board. Princeton’s Abby Horberger contributed a two-run double during the pivotal fourth inning, while Julieta Roa hit an RBI triple that ended Lawson’s outing.
Saturday’s game also marked the final appearance for seniors Georgia Corey, Charlotte Laidler, Savanna Messner, Eleni Katsivalis, and Sarah Mikami. Over their careers at Columbia, these players accumulated 79 wins and participated in three postseason tournaments.
After starting their season with ten consecutive losses (0-10), Columbia rebounded to finish with a winning record over their last thirty-five games (22-13). This year represented head coach Jennifer Teague’s fifth twenty-win season in her ten full years leading the program. The Lions ended Ivy League play tied for third place with a conference record of 12-6.
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