Softball Sweeps First Half of West Coast Road Trip

The Harvard softball team is off to a strong start in spring break play after sweeping its first six games on the West Coast.

The Crimson (11-3) went undefeated in five contests in the Northridge Classic before traveling to Los Angeles and downing Utah State, 9-5, on Monday.

“These wins are huge for us, showing not only that we can beat big teams like Oregon and Utah State, but also that we have the consistency to come out strong six games in a row,” senior shortstop Jane Alexander said. “Our success this weekend took everyone on our team. With 21 people, we have pinch runners, pinch hitters, fresh legs in the field, and an overwhelming energy.”

Senior Rachel Brown lived up to her title as this week’s Ivy League Pitcher of the Week, allowing just two runs and striking out 30 batters in 22 2/3 innings pitched.

“Rachel was a force on the mound for us this last weekend,” said co-captain and first baseman Whitney Shaw. “She buckled down against some really strong teams...and gave us some wins that are crucial to achieving our preseason team goals. She was a rock out there this weekend and executed her job brilliantly.”

HARVARD 9, UTAH STATE 5

In its lone game in the City of Angels, Harvard extended its winning streak to six games with a victory over Utah State (8-14).

It was a solid day for the Crimson offense, as five different batters tallied at least two hits. Among those five was sophomore third baseman Kasey Lange, who went 3-for-3 with two RBI doubles and a single.

Sophomore hurler Laura Ricciardone fanned four in five innings to record the win. Brown came on in relief in the sixth and struck out five in under two innings of work.

HARVARD 3, MAINE 2

In its fifth game of the tournament, Harvard extended its winning streak to five games with a 3-2 win against Maine (5-16) on Sunday.

Both squads brought their pitching A-game, with neither being able to score until the fifth inning, when Crimson junior centerfielder Stephanie Regan ripped an RBI double. Harvard soon upped its lead to two runs, as Alexander’s single up the middle drove in Regan.

Freshman first baseman Adrienne Hume smacked an RBI double to earn Harvard one more run in the top of the sixth. The Black Bears responded with a two-run rally in the bottom of the inning but were unable to do any damage to overcome the one-run deficit in the seventh.

HARVARD 3, OREGON STATE 2

Day 3 of the Northridge Classic opened with a close 3-2 Crimson victory over Oregon State (21-7) on Sunday.

Harvard nabbed a one-run advantage in the first inning thanks to sophomore catcher Allison Scott’s RBI double. The Crimson then did not score again until the fifth inning, when Lange knocked a single past second base to drive home freshman centerfielder Andrea Del Conte.

The pressure was on for Harvard in the top of the sixth inning, as the Beavers drove in two runs to tie the score up at 2-2.  Up for its last licks, the Crimson secured its 3-2 victory as junior leftfielder Ashley Heritage crossed home plate on a wild pitch.

HARVARD 5, CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE 2

In its second game of the weekend against the Matadors (5-19), Harvard took an early one-run lead on Saturday and never looked back, ultimately grabbing a 5-2 victory to deny Cal State Northridge redemption for its opening loss.

After Regan scored on a throwing error in the top of the first, the Crimson tacked on three more runs in the second inning to put the Matadors in an early 4-0 hole.

Cal State Northridge tried to ignite comebacks in the third and seventh innings but were held to a lone run in each attempt thanks to the strong pitching of Ricciardone. Harvard plated in a run in the seventh inning as well, when freshman Camilla Gibson scored on Lange’s ground out.

HARVARD 2, CSU BAKERSFIELD 0

The Crimson began Day 2 of tournament play with a 2-0 win in a pitcher’s duel against CSU Bakersfield (7-13).

Both teams were kept scoreless until the fifth inning, when Regan singled up the middle to bring sophomore right fielder Shelbi Olson home. Harvard scored one last time in the sixth, as rookie outfielder Katherine Appelbe’s single knocked in freshman second baseman Katherine Lantz. Brown allowed just one hit in a complete game shutout.

HARVARD 3, CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE 0

In the Crimson’s tournament opener on Friday, Brown struck out a season-high 13 batters en route to a 3-0 Harvard win.

Alexander came home on a fielding error in the first inning, and Lange added to the Crimson lead with a solo homer in the fourth.

The final Harvard run came in during the bottom of the fifth, when Appelbe reached home on Alexander’s sacrifice fly.

—Staff writer Marlee Melendy can be reached at melendy@college.harvard.edu.