Tigers softball’s season ends with 6-4 loss

Princeton finished the 2024 season with a record of 13-9

In a playoff format, there is always the potential for a lower-ranked team to upset a higher seed.

That happened to the Princeton softball team on Thursday, May 23, in Delano. Facing elimination in the Section 5-3A tournament, the Tigers lost 6-4 to Big Lake, ending Princeton’s 2024 season.

Tigers head coach Mandee Allen said the defense committed too many errors and the pitchers weren’t hitting their targets.

“We were a little lethargic out there,” Allen said. “Our bats came alive for an inning, but we couldn’t make it work.”

The Hornets had a 2-0 lead after three innings. In the fourth inning, Tigers sophomore Sadie Meyer hit an RBI single to cut Big Lake’s lead in half.

The Tigers’ momentum didn’t last for long. Hornets junior Katelyn Chaffee hit a solo home run off of Princeton freshman Leah Zimmer, and senior Sydnie Loftus doubled in a run.

Princeton cut the lead to one once again thanks to a 3-run homer, but Big Lake punched back with an RBI single by sophomore Alyssa Windorski.

Allen said the Tigers are looking to improve next season and go deeper in the section tournament.

“It didn’t end up how we wanted it to end up, but I see us next year doing just as well or even better,” she said.