Box Score DELAND, Fla. – The Harvard softball team erupted for six runs in the top of the seventh inning to defeat Rhode Island, 11-5, in its season opener on Friday afternoon at the Hatter Classic. The outing was the Crimson's first since March 1, 2020.
 
After allowing the tying run in the bottom of the fifth inning and a scoreless sixth, Harvard found itself in business in the top of the seventh when Kaitlin Lampson bunted her way on base and Morgan Melito reached on an error, bringing up Teagan Shaw. The junior from Indianapolis, Indiana provided the boost Harvard needed, connecting on the URI offering for a three-run blast.
 
The Crimson tacked on three additional runs on a two-run double from Allison O'Heany and an RBI single up the middle from Kendall Jean, which provided the final six-run margin.
 
Melito opened the scoring for the Crimson with a three-run home run in the second inning and a sacrifice fly in the third, putting Harvard ahead, 4-2. Heffley notched her first RBI of the day in the fourth inning thanks to a two-out single, which extended the Crimson lead. URI, however, answered with two runs in the bottom of the fourth and a single run in the fifth to set the table for Harvard's big inning in the seventh.

Harvard Highlights

• Harvard won its season-opening game for the first time since 2018.
• Ten Harvard players recorded at least one hit, with Trina Hoang, Megan Welsh, Kendall Jean, Brianna Jewett, Morgan Melito and Lauren Bobowski each getting two knocks.
• Melito (4) was one of three Crimson players with multiple RBI. Teagan Shaw and Allison O'Heany had three and two RBI, respectively.
• The Crimson unleashed for 16 hits in the game, while striking out just three times.

What's Next?

Harvard returns to the diamond to face Stetson on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.