PRINCETON, N.J. - The Harvard Crimson (27-14-1, 16-5 Ivy)  started the Ivy League Tournament with a dominant win over the Yale Bulldogs, as Harvard run ruled their opponent 12-3 in five innings. Harvard got contributions from every part of their lineup, as all nine starters reached base safely, helping the Crimson put 12 runs on the board and advance to the winners bracket on Friday morning. 

The Crimson will face Columbia at 10 a.m. on Friday morning, as the Lions defeated the Princeton Tigers 3-1 in game one of the tournament and advanced to the winners game, which will air on ESPN+. Harvard most recently faced the Lions to end their regular season play and swept Columbia 3-0 in the series. 

How it Happened

The Crimson got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the bottom the first inning with the game still scoreless. Harvard scored three runs in the frame, highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of Savannah Fitzpatrick.

After the Bulldogs rallied to tie the ballgame at three, the Crimson came back to retake the lead in the second inning. The Harvard offense exploded for four runs, highlighted by a one-run double off the bat of Fitzpatrick, which brought the Crimson lead to 7-3.
 

Harvard kept Yale without a run before building their lead to 12-3 the following inning. The Crimson bats heated up in the inning, scoring five runs, including a two-run single off the bat of Allison Heffley and a two-run single from Madi Mays. The score remained 12-3 for the rest of the game, as Harvard coasted to the win in five innings.
 

Game Highlights

• First-year Riley Flynn (7-1) got the win for Harvard. The right-hander went three innings, giving up three runs, all of them earned, on two hits, allowing five walks and striking out three. Senior Lindsay Poulos also pitched well, going two shutout innings while allowing one hit. Together they faced 24 Yale hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and five fly balls while striking out three.
• Fitzpatrick showed a strong offensive performance for the Crimson, going 2-for-2 in the ballgame with a double, a walk and three RBI. Mays put together a standout game at the dish as well, going 1-for-2 with a walk and three RBI. Megan Welsh also chipped in, going 2-for-2 for Harvard with two RBI. 
• Mays and Fitzpatrick drove in three runs each for the Crimson.
• Every Harvard starter reached base safely in the win.
• Harvard started the game with three runs in the first, four in the second and five in the third, increasing their lead each inning. After they took a 3-0 lead in the bottom half of the first they didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
• The Crimson out-hit the Bulldogs at an 11-3 clip.
• Harvard went 7-for-14 (.500) with runners in scoring position.
• The Crimson drew six walks from Yale pitching.