Big Green Drop a Pair of Close Games to Columbia

Saturday, April 1

New York, N.Y.

1:30 PM

Dartmouth College

1-19-1, 0-1

Columbia

8-13, 1-0

Dartmouth

Columbia

Big Green Drop a Pair of Close Games to Columbia

4/1/2017 8:10:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Dartmouth

NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Dartmouth softball team dropped a pair of close games to Columbia, 4-3 and 6-5 in nine innings to open Ivy League play on Saturday afternoon.

The Big Green are now 1-20-1 overall, 0-2 in conference play, while the Lions improve to 9-13 overall, 2-0 in Ivy play.

In game one, Dartmouth sent Breanna Ethridge to the circle, where she pitched a complete game, surrendering just four runs with as many walks and strikeouts.

The Big Green struck first in the top of the third, taking a 1-0 lead after Calista Almer laid down a bunt single and stole second. She eventually crossed home safely when Maddie Damore reached on an error by the second baseman for the early lead. In the bottom half of the inning, Ethridge continued to pitch well, retiring Columbia in order.

After a scoreless fourth, Dartmouth added to its lead, plating two runs in the top of the fifth. Almer recorded her second single of the afternoon before Damore hit a two-run homer to center field. For Damore, it was her second long-ball of the 2017 season.

The Lions responded in a big way in the bottom of the sixth, tying the game at three runs apiece. Sommer Grzybek got the home team on the board with a solo home run to center field. Bonnie Schipper was next at the dish as a substitution and she proceeded to hit a triple to right-center field. With just one swing of the bat, Jordan Townsend tied the ball game with a two-run home run to left field.

The Big Green tried to get something going in the top of the top of the seventh when Damore hit a two-out single and advanced to second on Tiffany Dyson's walk, but Karen Chaw grounded out to end the half inning.

Columbia had one last chance to win the contest in its bottom half of the seventh and was able to put the leadoff batter on when Kerry Cook doubled down the right field line. Madison Gott was intentionally walked in the hopes of creating a double-play situation, but Grzybek singled up the middle, scoring Cook for the walk off victory.

In the second game of the twinbill, Morgan Ebow got the start for Dartmouth. After a scoreless first and second inning, the Big Green once again were the first to strike. Almer continued her solid afternoon at the plate with a one-out double to left-center. The next batter, Jorgensen also doubled to the same part of the field, scoring Almer from second.

The Lions would grab this run back in the bottom of the fourth. With runners at the corner, Taylor Trout singled back to the pitcher which scored Olivia Parker. Columbia then took its first lead of the contest in the bottom of the fifth when Parker doubled to left-center which brought home Cook for the 2-1 lead.

The sixth inning would be a huge inning for both squads offensively, first for Dartmouth who took a commanding 5-2 lead. Morgan Martinelli led off with a single and was pinch ran for by Jade Bravo. After a single by Chaw and walk by Micah Schroder, the bases were loaded for Chloe Madill, who doubled down the left field line and collected two RBIs. The next batter, Bird hit a sacrifice fly to score Schroder before Lourlin Lara singled to right field, plating Madill.

The Lions responded with a huge half inning in their turn at the dish. Alexandra Yule led off with a single and was pinch ran for by Reilly Metzger. A double by Trout put two runners in scoring position which set up Amber Swinarski, who hit a triple down the left field line, scoring two runs. Tessa Grossman came into pitch in relief for Ebow, but Columbia was not finished. The Lions tied the game when Swinarski scored on a wild pitch.

After neither squad could score, the game would be decided in extra innings. Dartmouth threatened in the top of the eighth when the Big Green were able to put Madill into scoring position at third, but were unable to bring her home. With one swing of the bat in the bottom of the ninth, it was Grzybek who was the hero again for Columbia when she homered to left-center to walk off with another victory at home.

Dartmouth will return to action tomorrow in Philadelphia when the Big Green face Penn for a pair of games at 12:30 and 2:30. Both can be seen live in HD on the Ivy League Digital Network for subscribers.