The Yale softball team defeated Princeton, 7-6, in a ten-inning game on April 18, following a walk-off single by Elena Ohe. The victory marked Yale’s first home win against Princeton since 2014 and ended the Tigers’ undefeated Ivy League record this season. Earlier in the day, Yale lost to Princeton 2-0 in the opening game of the doubleheader.
The outcome is significant as it breaks a long-standing streak for both teams: Yale had not beaten Princeton at home in over a decade and snapped Princeton’s perfect conference run. With these results, Yale moved to an overall record of 14-27 and an Ivy League mark of 5-13, while Princeton fell to 26-11 overall and suffered its first conference loss after starting league play with fourteen straight wins.
In game one, Ava Kang led Yale with two hits. Emma Taylor pitched a complete game for the Bulldogs but took the loss as back-to-back extra-base hits gave Princeton an early lead that held through seven innings.
Game two saw multiple lead changes and dramatic moments. After falling behind early due to errors and timely hitting by Princeton, Yale rallied with contributions from Ohe—who went three-for-six with two runs scored—and Ellie Joseph, who drove in runs and pitched nine innings with six strikeouts before Taylor returned to close out the victory. Ella Cross contributed offensively with two hits and drew key walks that helped tie the game late.
Ohe’s walk-off single was her second of the season; she previously secured a win against Hofstra on March 17. Isabella Fortini also made program history during this matchup by recording her twenty-eighth career double.
Yale will conclude its home schedule on Wednesday, April 22, hosting University of New Haven for a doubleheader at DeWitt Family Stadium.
