Crimson Sweeps Easily On Road

The Harvard softball team traveled to Hamden, CT yesterday for a doubleheader against Quinnipiac (10-19, 4-4 NEC). In first place for the Ivy League North, the Crimson (20-12, 7-5 Ivy) easily won both games, beating the Bobcats 4-1 and 3-0.

HARVARD 3, QUINNIPIAC 0

In the second-game shutout, Harvard scored all three runs in the sixth inning. Following a pair of walks and a sacrifice bunt, freshman Jennifer Francis hit a one-out double to right-center that scored two runs. Immediately after gaining the lead, sophomore catcher Hayley Bock pinch hit for freshman third baseman Melissa Schellberg, knocking in Francis on a single to left for the third Crimson run.

“The second game was more of a pitcher’s battle, but we broke it open with [Francis]’s base hit,” Harvard coach Jenny Allard said. “We had a lot of key people step up today in certain situations, and it was good to see.”

While the offense peaked in one inning, the Crimson defense stayed steady to secure the win. Three Harvard pitchers saw time on the mound, starting with freshman Margaux Black. She threw for three innings, surrendering only two hits and one walk. In relief, junior Amanda Watkins also pitched three innings, giving up two hits. Bailey Vertovez earned the save, closing the game with a 1-2-3 final inning.

“We were sharp, we came out strong, and we kept the pressure on throughout the seven innings,” Allard said.

Harvard’s infield backed up its staff, committing no errors for the full seven innings. The Bobcats had eight base runners, but didn't score any of them.

HARVARD 4, QUINNIPIAC 1

The Crimson cruised against the Bobcats, earning two runs in both the first and last innings.

In the first inning, captain second baseman Julia Kidder led off with a walk and came around to score on three consecutive sacrifice bunts. Second in the order, senior shortstop Lauren Brown crossed the plate on a wild pitch.

“We scored two in the first and capitalized on their mistakes,” Kidder said.

Each team committed two errors, but the Crimson’s mistakes did not let in any runs.

The second pair of runs came in the seventh when freshman designated hitter Lauren Murphy hit a home run down the left field line. Leading the Ivy League in home runs with 13, Murphy knocked in Kidder who on with a single.

“Murphy’s home run was great because it was 2-1 at that point and it anyone’s game,” Kidder said. “She really put it away for us.”

Starting pitcher junior Shelly Madick threw four innings, giving up only one run off four hits. The third inning tally was the only time the Bobcats crossed the plate.

For the last three innings, freshman Dana Roberts held the Bobcats scoreless as the Crimson extended the lead to 4-1. Roberts, most recently named Ivy League Pitcher of the Week, earned her third save of the season. The combined staff tallied five strikeouts without giving up any walks.

“Everybody really did their job,” Allard said. “We only gave up one run on the day, and that was great.”