CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Harvard came from behind with eight runs in the bottom of the fifth inning and held off a late Penn rally to earn an 11-8 victory at Soldiers Field on Monday afternoon. The win completed a series sweep of the Quakers (9-22; 5-6 Ivy League) and moved the Crimson (15-15; 9-3 Ivy League) into sole possession of first place in the Ivy League.
 
Penn manufactured a run in the top of the first inning, but an Allison Heffley two-run shot in the bottom half of the frame moved Harvard back in front.
 
Following a scoreless second inning, the Quakers hit a solo homer of their own to level the score at 2-2. Two innings later, Penn added a trio of runs thanks to a three-run home run over the centerfield wall.
 
Facing a 5-2 deficit, Harvard put its first two batters aboard in Lauren Bobowski and Trina Hoang after back-to-back singles. The pair advanced on an error by the centerfielder and Bobowski scored on a Heffley groundout to second.
 
Then with two outs, Allison O'Heany singled, Teagan Shaw followed suit, Kendall Jean doubled, which plated two runs, Molly Dickerson reached on an error, Madi Mays hit a pinch-hit two-RBI double, Bobowski singled, Hoang reached on an error and suddenly, Harvard led, 10-5.
 
Brianna Jewett entered the game in the top of the sixth and kept Penn off the scoreboard with a quick 13-pitch effort. In the bottom half of the frame, the Crimson added to its lead when Jean's sacrifice fly scored Mackenzie Tyler.
 
In the top of the seventh and down six runs, Penn mounted a two-out rally, scoring three runs on consecutive singles to get within 11-8. Harvard called on Lindsay G. Poulos to get the final out and the junior needed just one pitch to secure the sweep.

Harvard Highlights

• For the second straight game, Allison Heffley finished with a career-high three RBI. The catcher was 1-for-4 at the plate and scored a run.
• Kendall Jean recorded her fifth multi-RBI game of the season, finishing with three RBI. The sophomore also had one hit in three at-bats and scored a run.
• Madi Mays delivered a hit in her only at-bat, which led to a pair of runs scoring. She now has two multi-RBI performances this season.
• Mackenzie Tyler matched her career high with two runs scored. The last time she crossed the plate twice in one game was back on March 3, 2019, vs. Howard.
• Lauren Bobowski scored twice and has now scored at least one run in four straight outings, which is the longest streak of her career. She also had two stolen bases for the third time this season.
• Trina Hoang scored twice, matching a season best. She also had one stolen base and tallied five in the series vs. Penn.
• Anna Reed won for the ninth time this season and Lindsay G. Poulos earned her second save of the year.

Up Next

Harvard's game vs. Providence on Tuesday, April 12, was canceled on Monday morning. As a result, the Crimson will be back in action on Saturday, April 16, for a doubleheader at Cornell. Game 1 is slated to begin at 12:30 p.m. ET and will air on ESPN+.