Batwomen Drop First Game, 5-2

The Harvard softball squad's five-game winning streak one that began on Opening Day almost two weeks ago ended suddenly yesterday on a cold windy Soldiers Field Even Yardling Gerri Rubin's magical pitching wasn't enough to spark the hapless batwomen, who tell to a strong Smith squad 5-2.

At the outset though, it looked like the Crimson was well on its way to its sixth straight victory. But after the Cantabs quick jumped out to a 1-0 lead the visitor capitalized on several key breaks to post the come from behind win and drop Harvard record to 5-1.

Out of The Gate

The batwomen jumped out quickly retiring the Smith side in the top of the first and then using a running game to come away with a 1-0 advantage after one inning. With Pat Horne on second the result of a walk and a steal sophomore Ann Wilson belted a shot to the Smith outfield sending Home scampering. By the time the senior Co-Captain had reached home. Harvard had its one-run lead.

But the Crimson lead proved extremely short-lived after several Smith hits in the second placed the batwomen on the short end of a 2-1 score.

Harvard appeared reads to come back though, loading the bases in both the second and the fifth innings. Although there was only one out each time, the Crimson left the bases full on both occasions.

We had lots of opportunities but we couldn't capitalize. Crimson Coach John Wentzel said afterwards.

While Harvard was squandering its scoring opportunities. Smith was increasing its lead scoring twice in the sixth and once in the seventh--to make the final score 5-2. Harvard had added its second score in the bottom of the sixth when Nancy Anderson singled in teammate Ellen Sackaroff.

"A few more timely hits and we would have done OK." Wentzel said "Every time we hit," he added, "we just hit it at someone." THE NOTEBOOK: The batwomen will try to regain their winning form Saturday when they meet Holy Cross in Worcester. Wentzel said he remains optimistic about has squad's upcoming trip to the Ivy League journey at Princeton April 23-24... Rubin threw just 80 pitches yesterday, the lowest total of the season.