Honor Roll Games of the Week: Feb. 22 – Feb. 28

February 21, 2019

Occidental Tigers @ Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens – Doubleheader Begins Saturday @ 12:00pm

Expectations are high for Pomona this season – and through four games the Sagehens have lived up to the early hype. After setting school records for conference wins and overall wins in 2018 – including the program’s deepest run in the SCIAC Tournament – Pomona was picked as the #1 team in the SCIAC Preseason Poll. The Sagehens carried that momentum into the 2019 season, winning their first four games while outscoring opponents 27-5.

For Occidental, the trip to Pomona represents their second conference match up of the season after splitting a doubleheader last week at the University of Redlands. The Tigers proved to be a tough match up for Pomona last season, splitting their 4 games with Pomona in 2018. With an early match up against the conference favorite, Occidental has a chance to set the tone with the best of the SCIAC teams.

Our prediction: Pomona controls the historical head-to-head record against Occidental at 35-17, and that continues this weekend. The Sagehens sweep the doubleheader, leaving the Tigers wanting redemption in their second match up in early April.

Bucknell Bison vs. Princeton Tigers – Saturday @ 11:00am

The last time Princeton and Bucknell squared off in softball, many of the players in this game were not even born yet. That’s right – the first and only matchup between the Bison and Tigers took place in 1998, with Princeton earning the 11-1 victory.

After finishing second in the Patriot League in 2018, Bucknell looks to bounce back from a tough start to the season, which included two games on the road against nationally #11-ranked LSU. For Princeton, their season kicks off this Friday and they look to get off to a strong start in a flurry of activity this weekend before heading down to Arizona in early March.

The matchup comes as part of the Liberty Softball Challenge, a three-day event that will see both teams play 5 games. The other schools in the tournament include Valparaiso, Delaware State, Wright State and Liberty. Bucknell and Princeton play on the second day of competition on Sunday.

Our prediction: Revenge is a dish best served 21 years cold… With a few more games under their belt in 2019 against tough competition, Bucknell ties the all-time series by picking up the win against Princeton – and we wait anxiously for the rubber match coming in 2040.