RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Harvard softball opened its time at the Lance Up Invite in Riverside, Calif. with a pair of narrow defeats against UC San Diego and tournament host California Baptist.

The day began with a 4-2 defeat against UC San Diego, as the Tritons snapped Harvard's five game winning-streak. Senior outfielder Lauren Bobowski tallied three hits in four at-bats, setting a new single-game career high in hits.

In a back-and-fourth thriller, Harvard came up just short in a 2-1 defeat against California Baptist. Despite the loss, sophomore pitcher Riley Flynn produced a show-stopping performance in the circle. The reigning Ivy League Pitcher of the Week allowed two runs on five hits while striking out nine batters, tying a single-game career high.

HOW IT HAPPENED IN GAME ONE:

With both pitchers posting strong showings, UC San Diego (5-16) didn't score the opening runs of the game till the fourth inning. With two runners on base, sophomore infielder Hailey Mulligan pushed in a run with a double, putting the Tritons in front, 1-0. UC San Diego doubled its advantage in the next at-bat, hitting a sacrifice fly, 2-0.

Harvard (8-3) reduced the UC San Diego lead in the fifth inning. On a 2-2 count, first-year catcher Alexa Wohr roped a leadoff double to deep left field. After a single from sophomore infielder Finley Payne, first-year infielder Sophie Sun laid down an excellent bun, scoring Harvard's first run, 2-1.

The sixth inning saw the UC San Diego score two runs on two passed balls, 4-1.

The Crimson orchestrated an immediate response, as Bobowski scored on a single after errors from the UC San Diego defense, 4-2.

First-Year Nicolette Hunter got the start against the Tritons, lasting five innings while allowing two runs on two hits with three strikeouts and just one walk. Bobowski tallied three hits in the contest, a new career high. The Crimson scored two runs on eight hits.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED IN GAME TWO:

In a thrilling contest, both pitching staffs kept the offenses at bay, as Flynn and California Baptist's Jazmine Castaneda tossed three straight scoreless innings to start the nightcap.

California Baptist took the lead in the fourth inning, as Sydney Soto hit a one-run RBI double into the gap, scoring Crawford, 1-0. An excellent Crimson defensive play prevented California Baptist from adding another run in the fourth. With Soto sprinting to home on a single from Merissa Borkowski, junior outfielder Savannah Fitzpatrick made an excellent throw home, as Wohr applied to the tag for the final out of the frame.

After a scoreless fifth inning, Harvard tied the game in its half of the sixth. After a leadoff walk from Bobowski, Fitzpatrick executed a perfect sacrifice bunt, allowing Bobowksi to advance all the way to third. On the second pitch of her at bat, senior infielder Madi Mays lifted an RBI-single to right field, tying the game, 1-1.

In the bottom of the sixth, California Baptist scored the eventual game-winning run, 2-1.

Harvard scored one run on seven hits against California Baptist, as Flynn tied her career high in strikeouts with nine.

HARVARD HIGHLIGHTS:

• Bobowski set a new career high in hits with three against UC San Diego
• Flynn tied her career high in strikeouts with nine against California Baptist.
• Harvard loses back-to-back games for the first time this season.

UP NEXT:

Harvard continues its time at the Lance Up Invitational tomorrow, taking on Sacramento State at 1:00 p.m. EST. The Crimson will also play a rematch against California Baptist at 3:30 p.m. EST, as the contest will stream live on ESPN+.

For complete coverage of Harvard Softball, follow the team on Twitter (@HarvardSB) and Instagram (@harvardsb).