Cambridge, Mass. – The Harvard Crimson (26-14-1, 16-5 Ivy) earned at least a share of the Ivy League title with an 11-2 win over Columbia on Saturday while celebrating the team's charity game and senior day. With this year's sweep of the Lions, the Crimson now lead the all-time series 37-13.
The 2023 Ivy League Championship is the Crimson's ninth conference title and second since their most recent win in 2019.
How it Happened
The Crimson got the scoring started early, putting two runs on the board in the bottom the first inning with the game still scoreless. Harvard's offense started clicking and put up six runs, including a two-run single off the bat of Savannah Fitzpatrick and a two-run double from Madi Mays.
The Lions failed to push any runs across before the Crimson offense got back to their scoring ways the next inning. Megan Welsh came across to score the lone run of the inning for Harvard, which brought the score to 7-0 in favor of the Crimson.
Harvard kept Columbia without a run before expanding their lead to 10-0 the following inning. The Crimson put together a three-run frame, culminating in a run-scoring single from Priyanka Kaul.
The Lions fought back, closing the gap to 10-1 until Harvard added some insurance in the fourth. Allison Heffley crossed home plate with the lone run of the inning for the Crimson, bringing the score to 11-1 in favor of Harvard. Columbia put one run on the scoreboard before the game was over, but the Crimson still coasted to the 11-2 win.
Game Highlights
• Junior Anna Reed (9-7) started in the circle and picked up the win for Harvard (26-14, 16-5). The right-hander went four innings, giving up one run on two hits, allowing no walks and striking out six.
• Mays led the way offensively for the Crimson, going 2-for-2 in the ballgame with a double and two RBI. Finley Payne put together a noteworthy performance at the plate as well, going 2-for-3 with two RBI. Heffley also helped out, going 2-for-3 for Harvard with a triple.
• Every Harvard starter reached base safely in the win.
• Harvard took a 6-0 lead in the bottom half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
• The Crimson out-hit the Lions at a 14-4 clip.
• Both Lauren Bobowski and Payne stole two bases in Saturday's game. Combined with Trina Hoang's one stolen base, the team stole five, which is equal to their season high in the metric.
• Harvard went 9-for-16 (.563) with runners in scoring position.
• Harvard pitchers faced 20 Columbia hitters in the game, allowing two ground balls and six fly balls while striking out seven.
• Harvard batters racked up 14 hits through four innings at bat, which is equal to their season high hits that was achieved through seven innings earlier this season.
Up Next
Harvard earned a spot in the Ivy League Tournament, which will take place at the home stadium of the higher seed. The Crimson await the result of Princeton's game to find out the location of the tournament, which will be held from May 11-13.
