Pictured: Jennifer
Francis launched a grand slam in game one against Yale.
Photo Courtesy: Harvard Athletic Communications
Visit Replay Photo for more action shots of
Jennifer Francis and the Harvard softball team
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Harvard softball team held
on for a 6-4 win in game one and shutout Yale, 5-0, in game two to
sweep the season series against the Bulldogs in a makeup
doubleheader Tuesday afternoon. Harvard ups its conference record
to 13-3 to maintain its first-place position in the Ivy North
Division while the Bulldogs slip to 4-12 in conference action.
The Crimson got all the offense it would need in game one in the
third inning, plating six runs on four hits. Ellen Macadam led
off with a walk and scored when Melissa
Schellberg doubled to left field. The next batter, Whitney Shaw,
followed suit with an RBI double to left to give the Crimson a 2-0
advantage. After Jessica Pledger
walked and Jane Alexander
singled to load the bases, Jennifer Francis launched a grand slam
to right field, putting the guests up 6-0. Yale came back with four
in the bottom of the seventh, but Rachel Brown struck
out the final batter to seal the win in game one.
Francis finished the game with two hits and a game-high four RBI
to lead the Crimson. Brown picked up the win in the circle,
striking out eight in 4.1 innings of work and holding the Bulldogs
scoreless.
Harvard struck in the third inning of game two as well, staking
Brown to a 2-0 lead after three innings. Francis started the inning
with a double to left and scored when Macadam blasted a home run
over the left field wall. The Crimson added three more in the sixth
to put the game out of reach. Alexander knocked in Shaw with a
single to left for the first run and Francis plated two more with
an RBI double. Brown and Margaux Black
combined to shut down the Bulldogs in the late innings to maintain
the 5-0 lead.
Francis led the offense once again, going 2 for 2 from the plate
with a run scored and two RBI, while Macadam collected two hits and
a pair of RBI as well. Brown earned her 14th win of the season,
scattering two hits over six innings of work and striking out 11
Bulldogs. Black pitched one inning of relief and kept the hosts
scoreless in the seventh.
Harvard returns to the field Thursday for a single
non-conference game against local foe Boston University. Gametime
is slated for 4 p.m.
