Last season, the Penn and Princeton women's softball teams were on opposite ends of the Ivy standings. Come tomorrow, the Quakers hope to level the playing field.
The Quakers (8-14-1) will face quite a challenge as they open their Ivy League schedule this weekend at Warren Field. The Tigers (11-10) are the two-time defending Ivy League champions, and one of the favorites to win the league again this year.
The Quakers, on the other hand, feature a very young team with a new coach and new attitude after finishing last in the league the previous year. Needless to say, the Red and Blue will be facing an uphill battle.
"There is no doubt that we go into this doubleheader as an underdog," Penn coach Leslie King Moore said. "But you play for a reason. They have two arms and two legs, the same as us."
If the Quakers hope to pull an upset, they must get better offensive production from their lineup. Penn has scored only eight runs in their last six games, compiling a 2-3-1 record during that stretch.
Hoping to add a spark, the team has spent extra time working on bunting and advancing runners in practice this week. The Quakers hope their brand of "small ball" will take greater advantage of the hits they do get.
"Hitting is one of those things -- it's either on or off," Moore said. "As a team, we talk about timely hitting."
Timely hitting certainly propelled the Red and Blue in their win over Lehigh on Wednesday. Although the team only amassed four hits in the game, freshman Kim May's clutch two-RBI single provided enough offense for the Quakers victory.
Moore hopes that the team will be able to capitalize on the momentum gained from its comeback win against the defending Patriot League champions.
"I certainly think it's given us confidence and energy," Moore said.
Moore also cites a recent team meeting as a reason for the improved play. After losses against Lafayette and Maine, the coach talked with her players about improving the team's energy. The meeting seems to have done the trick.
"I was really pleased with how we came out against Lehigh," Moore said.
One Penn player to keep an eye on is senior Erin O'Brien. The St. James, N.Y., native has carried the Quakers' offense thus far, hitting .327 with four home runs and 13 RBIs, all team highs. However, she will need more help from her teammates if the Quakers are to match the Tigers' powerful lineup.
Princeton's offensive attack is led by returning Ivy League Player of the Year Melissa Finley. The junior from London, Ontario, set the Princeton single season home run record last year with 14 round trippers, while also batting over .400.
Although her pitchers will face the most feared slugger in the Ancient Eight, Moore will not let Finley or any of Princeton's hitters dictate the strategy of her pitchers.
"I like my pitchers to throw to their strengths," Moore said. "If Melissa Finley hits a dropball, I'm not going to tell my drop-ball pitcher to stop throwing her pitch. If we make good pitches, we'll get people out."
The Quakers will also face city rival La Salle at Warren Field on Sunday at noon.
