Jerpbak Sisters Set To Face Off Friday

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Yale-Princeton rivalry is always special, but when the two schools meet in softball on Friday afternoon at Dewitt Family Field, it will have added meaning for two players. Yale freshman Terra Jerpbak will be playing against her older sister Skye Jerpbak, a senior for the Tigers.

In fact, there is a pretty good chance at some point in the doubleheader that when Syke, Princeton's starting catcher, steps into the batter's box to hit, she will be facing Terra, one of Yale's top pitchers.

"I am very excited to play my sister. Ever since I started looking into Yale, I knew this could be a possibility, and it is crazy that it has finally arrived," Terra says. "If I have the opportunity to pitch to her, I am going to stay calm and just treat her as any other batter. I have pitched thousands of pitches in my life, and I will just trust my pitches to work well."

Both Terra and Skye are enjoying fine seasons. Terra leads Yale's pitching staff in wins (4), innings (70.2) and ERA (4.16). She also has shined at the plate, batting .359. Skye has started 22 games for Princeton and is hitting .281. In her career she has made nearly 100 starts for the Tigers.

Skye and Terra were teammates for one year at Ponderosa High School, and of course had plenty of time to play together in the back yard.

"When I was growing up, I would throw to her sometimes but not as often as many people think," Terra says.

The two have always been close.

"Skye has always been supportive of me regardless and wants the best for in everything I do," Terra says. "I can count on her for anything, and I know she will be there for me."

The two also have received tremendous support from their parents, who plan to attend Friday's games. The biggest dilemma they will face is which side to sit on.

"I'm sure they will sit on both sides and talk with all the parents that have welcomed them into the Princeton and Yale families," Terra said. "Regardless of where they sit, we all know that they are here for both of us and just want us to have fun and play the game we love."

They also won't be hard to spot, as they had shirts specially made that have both Princeton and Yale on them.

Was there ever a chance that Terra would join Skye at Princeton?

"I did consider Princeton at one point, but when I came to Yale, I realized this is where I belonged," she said. "The Yale community, these coaches and this team are my family away from home, and I am very thankful for the opportunity to become part of the Yale family."

Report filed by Tim Bennett (timothy.bennett@yale.edu), Yale Sports Pubicity