Yale eliminated from Red Rolfe race; Harvard moves one step closer to repeat

The Ivy League Red Rolfe Division picture became a little clearer on Friday afternoon, removing one hurdle for Harvard in its attempt to repeat as division champion.

Entering the weekend, the Crimson stood one game ahead of Dartmouth, which it meets four times Saturday and Sunday, two games ahead of Yale, and three games clear of mathematically-eliminated Brown.

Then, the Bulldogs and the Bears split the first of their two scheduled weekend doubleheaders, with Yale capturing the opener, 3-1, but dropping the nightcap by a 8-3 count in Providence.

Those results erase the Bulldogs from divisional contention, leaving Harvard and the Big Green to duke it out over the course of their home-and-home series. The Crimson will advance to the Ivy Championship Series by winning two or more games. If Dartmouth prevails in three of four, though, it will finish atop the Red Rolfe.

First pitch on Saturday at O’Donnell Field is slated for 1 p.m.