Softball Drops a Pair of Close Games to BC

CHESTNUT HILL--The Harvard softball team collided headfirst with the Ryan Express yesterday, as Boston College pitcher Kimberly Ryan shut down the Crimson offense in both games of a doubleheader at Shea Field.

Ryan's performances propelled the Eagles (13-14, 2-4 Big East) to a 2-0 win in the first game, as well as a 4-3 comeback victory in the back end of yesterday's twin-bill.

Just a freshman, Ryan resembled the former Texas Rangers' workhouse Nolan Ryan, tossing a combined 11.2 innings without having a run credited to her.

"[Ryan] was very effective," said Harvard Coach Jenny Allard. "She moved the ball in and out, and threw a good rise ball. She kept the hitters off balance."

Still, the Crimson (8-17, 1-0 Ivy) had its chances to score, especially in the second game, when Ryan began to show visible signs of tiring. The Harvard batsmen, however, failed to take advantage of their opportunities when they had them.

"We should have had a chance to win down the stretch, but we just didn't get it done," Allard said. "We weren't clutch."

B.C. 4, HARVARD 3

A lack of timely hitting spelled doom for the Crimson in each of yesterday's games.

Down 4-3 in the seventh inning of the second game, Harvard had a chance to tie the score when sophomore right fielder Sarah Koppel doubled to the gap in right-center and advanced to third on a ground-out by sophomore pitcher Suzanne Guy.

Ryan, however, got the next two Harvard batters to strike out looking, sealing the win for the Eagles.

"We didn't get clutch hits," said Allard. "We didn't have anyone step it for us and get the big hit."

The Crimson got on the board in the first half of the second inning, as singles by junior Chelsea Thoke, senior Crystal Springer and freshman Tiffany Whitton led to three runs.

The Harvard eruption chased B.C. starter Lauren Fischetti from the game in favor of Ryan.

With the exception of a run scored by an inherited runner on a passed ball, Ryan ended the Harvard outburst.

For Harvard, Thoke started the game in the circle and cruised through the first three innings.

Thoke retired the first nine batters she faced, with five of the putouts coming on strikeouts.

In the fourth inning, however, B.C. broke through. With the bases loaded following a walk and a pair of Harvard fielding miscues, Thoke fired a wild pitch that allowed the Eagles' first run to cross the plate.

B.C. went on to tie the game 3-3 in that same inning, as a fielder's choice and an RBI single by junior Summer Jarratt plated two additional runs.

"We made some key mistakes in that inning," Allard said. "That's what let them back in the game."

Thoke was removed after four frames due to a slight injury to her throwing hand.

She was replaced by Guy, who received the loss after surrendering the game-winning run in the bottom of the fifth.

The loss was the second of the day for Guy, who gave up the Eagles' game-winning run in the first contest as well.

Allard said that Thoke's early exit was mostly a precautionary measure taken to keep the Harvard ace fresh for this weekend's match-ups with Yale and Brown.

"[Thoke] could have continued to pitch, but I'd rather rest her," Allard said. "These games are important regionally, but the big kahuna is the weekend."

B.C. 2, HARVARD 0

In the early game, a run in the first inning provided all the scoring the Eagles would need, as Ryan dominated the Harvard hitters to earn the first of her two victories on the afternoon.

B.C. 2, HARVARD 0

The B.C. hurler tossed six scoreless innings, surrendering just two hits and fanning seven. Eagles sophomore Brooke Shull pitched the final inning to earn the save.

Harvard's inability to score spoiled a strong effort by Harvard flamethrower Tiffany Whitton.

The freshman Witton, who had not pitched in five weeks due to a pulled quad muscle, performed impressively in long relief. Throughout the late innings, she preserved Harvard's chances for victory, allowing just one run.

"[Witton] did an excellent job of keeping us in the game," Allard said.

The Harvard offense, however, struggled to provide her with any run support.

"In the first game, we didn't hit the ball at all," Allard said. "We were swinging from our heals, and we weren't aggressive at the plate at all."

The Crimson did manage to put a scare in the Eagles in its last turn at bat, as Harvard attempted a rally against the closer Shull.

With one out, junior Jen Crusius legged out an infield hit and Springer singled up the middle to put the tying run on base.

Shull, however, got Thoke to fly out to right for the second out, and after pitching around Koppel to load the bases, got sophomore Monica Montijo to ground out to end the game.