PRINCETON, N.J. - The Harvard Crimson (28-14-1, 16-5 Ivy) took a 1-0 lead in the first inning and never surrendered the advantage on the way to a 7-2 win over the Columbia Lions on Friday, sending them straight to Championship Saturday in the Ivy League Tournament with a 2-0 record so far this weekend.
Saturday's game will begin at 12 p.m. The opponent is yet to be determined as Harvard will await the results of today's games. The 2-0 Crimson team will be facing a team that has one loss so far in the tournament. With a win in the 12 p.m. game, Harvard will be named tournament champions and clinch a spot in the NCAA Tournament. With a loss, Saturday will become a doubleheader as Harvard has another chance to seal the tournament. Saturday games will air on ESPN+.
How it Happened
The Crimson got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the top of the first inning. Lauren Bobowski came across to score the lone run of the inning for Harvard and get them on the board.
The Crimson then held the Lions scoreless before getting back on the board the very next inning. Mackenzie Tyler came across to score the single run of the inning for Harvard, which brought the score to 2-0 in favor of the Crimson.
Columbia clawed back to tie the ballgame at two before Harvard reclaimed a 3-2 advantage in the fifth inning. The Crimson scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Trina Hoang.
Harvard kept the Lions scoreless before building on their lead in the seventh inning. The Crimson scored four runs in the inning, highlighted by a three-run home run off the bat of
Megan Welsh, bringing the score to 7-2 in favor of Harvard. The score remained 7-2 for the rest of the game, as the Crimson finished out the inning and allowed no more runs from the Lions.
Game Highlights
• Anna Reed (10-7) started in the circle and picked up the win for Harvard (28-14-1). The right-hander went 4.1 innings, giving up two runs, both of them earned, on five hits, allowing three walks and striking out two. Rookie of the Year Riley Flynn also made an impact in the circle for the Crimson, throwing 2.2 shutout innings while allowing no hits, with one walk and three strikeouts. Combined, they limited Columbia to just 1-for-8 (.125) with runners in scoring position.
• In the batter's box, the Crimson were paced by Welsh, who went 2-for-2 on the day with a home run, two walks and three RBI. Madi Mays put together a noteworthy performance at the dish as well, going 1-for-3 with two RBI. Hoang also contributed, putting together one hit in two trips to the plate while adding a walk and an RBI.
• Harvard's highest scoring inning was the seventh, when it pushed four runs across. They took a 1-0 lead in the top half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
• The Crimson out-hit the Lions at a 7-5 clip.
• The Crimson drew four walks from Columbia pitching.
