Big Green Drop Doubleheader to Columbia

Friday, March 31

New York, N.Y.

12:30 PM

Dartmouth College

Columbia

Photo by: Doug Austin

3/31/2023 7:10:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Box Score (Game 1) (PDF)Box Score (Game 2) (PDF)

Dartmouth fell to 3-2 in Ivy League play following two losses in New York City

By: Francis Forte

NEW YORK — The Dartmouth softball team dropped both games of a doubleheader to open its second Ivy League series of the season against Columbia. The Lions walked off both contests in extra innings at the Columbia Softball Stadium Friday afternoon.

Game one of the series went to Columbia in 10 innings, as the Lions walked off the opening contest with an RBI single. Sophomore pitcher Rachel McCarroll pitched a complete game and allowed just one extra-bases hit, but the Lions took the win on a walk-off RBI single.

The second game of the afternoon saw another walk-off win for the Lions, as a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth secured the series for Columbia. Kelly Beaupre recorded a home run and two RBIs in the loss.

Game One: Columbia 3, Dartmouth 2 (10 inn.)
After a quiet top of the first from Dartmouth, McCarroll was solid in the bottom of the frame. She struck out the first Columbia batter of the game before forcing a groundout. McCarroll closed the inning by forcing another strikeout, retiring the side in order.

Kate Farren opened the second with a single, but the Big Green were unable to advance her as Columbia forced three-straight outs. The Lions placed two runners on, but Dartmouth closed the door with a McCarroll strikeout to keep the game scoreless.

The Big Green put two runners on in the top of the third, as Lauren Ben-Ezra singled and Kelly Beaupre walked. With two away, Panu drove in the first run of the afternoon, as an RBI single brought Ben-Ezra home to give the Big Green the lead. Columbia was unable to respond in the bottom of the frame.

Dartmouth and Columbia both stranded one runner as the score remained 1-0 in favor of the Big Green. Both teams recorded a hit in the fifth, but both runners were left stranded as defense continued to dominate the narrative of the contest.

The Big Green were unable to extend their lead in the top of the sixth, as the side was retired in order following a groundout, flyout and strikeout. Columbia tied the contest in the bottom of the frame, as an RBI-single knotted the game up, 1-1.

Leila Hennessy recorded a single and Ashley Frantz walked to first to put runners on first and second in the top of the seventh. Kelly Beaupre was unable to bring in the go-ahead run with two outs on the board, as the score remained tied. Columbia could not bring in a run as the game headed to extras.

Both squads put a runner on base in the eighth inning but could not break the tie as the contest headed to the ninth.

Dartmouth put runners on first and second with one out recorded. Columbia closed the door on the scoring opportunity, retiring the side with two-straight outs. The Big Green allowed two runners on in the bottom of the frame, Megan Ryono sent a well-hit ball to deep left field, which was handled by Panu to send the game to the 10th.

Jenna Brown broke the tie in the top of the 10th, as she singled to right field, bringing Panu home to give the Big Green a 2-1 lead. Columbia responded on the first at-bat of the bottom of the frame with a solo home run to left center field.

The Lions closed the game with a walk-off RBI single, handing Dartmouth its first conference loss of the season. The Big Green fell to 8-12 and 3-1 in conference play, while Columbia improved to 8-14 and 4-3 in the Ivy League.

Game Two: Columbia 6, Dartmouth 4 (8 inn.)
Dartmouth took an early 1-0 lead on the Lions in the top of the first. Beaupre brought Ben-Ezra home to give the Big Green the lead. Ashley Frantz stood on third, but Columbia retired the side. The Big Green sent the first three Columbia batters back to the dugout to maintain the lead.

After a quiet inning from Dartmouth, the Lions took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the second. Columbia put two runners on with two outs on the board. A three-run homer gave the home squad a 3-1 lead heading into the third.

Beaupre continued her hot streak at the plate, as she homered to center field with two away. Her solo shot cut Columbia's lead in half, and Dartmouth held the Lions off the board in the bottom of the frame.

Columbia doubled its lead in the bottom of the fourth, as an RBI double gave the Lions a 4-2 lead. Izzy Kam entered the game for Stella Bale in the circle and guided the Big Green out of the inning, stranding two runners.

The Big Green capitalized on a throwing error from the Lions to bring in a run in the top of the fifth. Kate Farren followed up with a sacrifice fly to center field to tie the contest, 4-4. Panu stole second to place herself in scoring position, but a popup closed the half inning.

After two quiet innings, Dartmouth and Columbia entered extra innings for the second-straight game. The Big Green left a runner stranded after Farren reached on an error but could not take the lead.

Columbia took the win on a walk-off two-run homer, securing the series for the Lions. Dartmouth fell to 8-13 and 3-2 in conference play, while Columbia improved to 9-14 and 5-3 in Ivy League competition.

Up Next: SCHEDULE CHANGE
Dartmouth takes the field in New York City tomorrow to close the series against Columbia. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. A stream is available on ESPN+ and Stretch Internet. The series finale was originally scheduled for Sunday at 12:30 p.m.