Softball Sweeps Holy Cross

The Harvard softball team swept a doubleheader at Holy Cross yesterday to extend its winning streak to three games, its longest unbeaten stretch of the season.

In the opening game, the Crimson (7-15) overcame shoddy defense and a four-run deficit to outlast the Crusaders, 7-4. Harvard then put on a clinic at the plate in the second game, outslugging Holy Cross, 10-2.

The twin-bill served as Harvard's final tune-up before the start of the Ivy League season, which begins with a two-game set at Cornell this Saturday.

"These wins really help the team's spirits," said Harvard junior pitcher Chelsea Thoke. "We showed ourselves to be a really dominant team."

HARVARD 10, HOLY CROSS 2

After losing five games already this season by eight runs or more, the Crimson finally posted a blowout win of their own, prevailing 10-2 over the Crusaders (3-14-1) in the second game of yesterday's doubleheader.

A seven-run second inning highlighted the Harvard scoring parade. Junior catcher Mairead McKendry led the Crimson offense with a two-run blast off Holy Cross pitcher Kait Hannan (2-3). In addition, Thoke and sophomore right fielder Sarah Koppel collected two hits apiece.

The slugfest reversed a negative trend for Harvard, who struggled to score runs last week during the team's swing through Georgia and Virginia.

"Today's games definitely get our confidence up, especially with our offense coming around," said Harvard co-captain Deborah Abeles, who went 3-for-4 with four runs scored on the day. "We had a challenging spring break, but we've been making a lot of little adjustments."

Hannan, who pitched two shutout innings in relief in the first game, could not duplicate her success in the back end of the doubleheader. She allowed ten hits and three walks in five innings of work. Three Holy Cross errors, which accounted for two of the ten Harvard runs, did little to help stop the Crusaders' bleeding.

Offensively, the Crusaders certainly had their chances but stranded six runners in the game. Holy Cross catcher Liz Curil and designated hitter Julie Secs drove in the team's only runs.

Thoke (3-8), who started the game for Harvard, was particularly effective at recording outs when she needed them. In her five-inning effort, she exhibited pinpoint control, not walking a single batter.

"I focused on working on my pitches to prove myself," Thoke said.

HARVARD 7, HOLY CROSS 4

Unlike the Crimson's offensive showcase in the second game, the result of the first contest was hardly a sure thing, as the Crusaders jumped out to a 4-0 lead off Crimson starter Suzanne Guy (3-5) in the second inning.

Two-run singles by Holy Cross left fielder Susanna Friel and second baseman Shelley Richard keyed the Crusaders' outburst. Holy Cross was also aided by Harvard's poor fielding, as the Crimson committed three errors, which led to all four of the Crusaders' runs.

The Harvard offense was quick to respond, however, stealing the lead with a five-run rally in its next turn at bat.

The Crimson later added two insurance runs in the top of the fifth inning to seal the victory.

Once handed a lead by the Crimson's offense, Guy quickly settled in and silenced the Holy Cross bats. By game's end, Guy had fanned six batters and, like Thoke, had not allowed a single free pass.

Overall, it was an encouraging day for the Crimson pitching staff.

"Our pitching simply needed a rest," Thoke said. "The day off on Monday was really good for us."

At the plate, Koppel went 2-for-4 with a triple and a double. She helped score four of Harvard's seven runs, as she drove in two and also crossed the plate twice.

In addition, McKendry and co-captain Ghia Godfree both chipped in two hits and knocked in a run.

Harvard now enters the Ivy portion of its schedule with a two-game set against the Big Red this weekend. The games comprise a crucial test for the Crimson, as Cornell will likely be the toughest league opponent that Harvard faces this year.

"We usually have Cornell at the end of our schedule," Abeles said. "This will definitely be a big weekend that will bring a lot of things to the forefront. I'm very excited."