NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Behind a balanced and explosive offense, the Yale softball team took down Columbia, 11-3 and 9-8, in its home opener at 5K Corral Field at DeWitt Family Stadium. The wins put Yale at 8-13 overall and 2-3 in Ivy League play, while the Lions fell to 6-13 overall 2-3 in the Ivy.
 
Game 1: Yale 11, Columbia 3 (5 innings)

• B1 | The Bulldogs had the hot bats to start. After Carolyn Skotz hit an infield single, Willa Ferrer knocked her in with a double to left field. Lauren Perren's walk gave Yale two more baserunners. Grayson Vives then roped a double to left center, scoring both Ferrer and Perren for the three-run lead.
• B2 | Yale notched its fourth run on a fly-out, scoring on the tag.
• T1 | Columbia picked up hits in back-to-back at bats, but Yale grabbed two-straight outs to halt their momentum. The Lions still capitalized with their lone baserunner and scored on a double.
• B3 | Explosions continued in the third for Yale. With two outs and a runner on, Sam Goodcase hit a RBI single to right field. Sophie Woodridge followed Goodcase's hit up with a two-run bomb to left field to put Yale up six.
• T4 | Columbia responded with two runs on one hit and a fielder's choice.
• B5 | A small floodgate opened for Yale in the fifth. Woodridge continued her string of solid play with a RBI single. After that, Mady Smith whacked a double to right that scored Woodridge. Lauren Perren sealed the deal and hit a walk-off triple that scored Yale's 11th run and enacted the run rule.

 
Game 2: Yale 9, Columbia 8 (8 innings)

• T1 | Columbia came out swinging in game two. The Lions snagged four first-inning runs behind two home runs.
• T2 | Two more runs were added to the board for Columbia.
• B2 | Despite being down by six, the Bulldogs were never out. Yale took its opportunity in the bottom half of the inning to make something happen. Libby Peoples kicked off the beginning of the comeback with a solo home run to right field. After Sophie Woodridge was hit by a pitch, Sam Goodcase knocked her home with a RBI double. With two outs and runners on second and third, Mady Smith stepped to the plate as a pinch hitter and knocked in Goodcase to cut Columbia's lead in half.
• B3 | Grayson Vives knocked a solo home run to right center putting the Bulldogs within two.
• T5 | The Lions knocked a two-run home run to extend their lead to four.
• B5 | Yale went to work in the bottom half. After back-to-back singles from Woodridge and Peoples, Goodcase worked the count to load the bases. The Bulldogs earned four-straight walks to come within one of the Lions once again. With two outs, Lauren Perren walked another run home to tie the game.
• B8 | Libby Peoples reached first after working the count to walk. Peoples then immediately stole second and put herself in scoring position. Goodcase stepped to the plate and ripped a double down the left field line to seal the walk-off for the Bulldogs in the eighth.

 
Notes

• This was the first time since 2019 where Yale has combined for 20-or-more runs in a single day.
• Emma Taylor pitched all eight innings, with the exception of four batters in the first inning in game two. Taylor picked up the win along with four strikeouts.
• Maddie Latta pitched three full innings in game one and had two strikeouts. 
• Libby Peoples picked up her first collegiate home run.
• Grayson Vives recorded his first home run of the season and the third of his career.
• Sophie Woodridge went 5-for-7 on the day with a home run and a double, three RBI and four runs scored.
• Sam Goodcase went 4-for-6 over the two-game set with two doubles, three RBI, three runs scored and drew three walks.
• Libby Peoples went 2-for-4 with three runs and a stolen base in game two.
• As a team, the Bulldogs had a season-high nine walks. 

 
On Deck
The Bulldogs will host the Lions in the series finale on Sunday, March 26. First pitch is set for 12:30 at 5K Corral Field.