NEW YORK, N.Y. – Harvard softball picked up its fourth win in a row, defeating Columbia in extra innings, 5-4, to complete its first sweep in Ivy League play this season. In its last ten contests, the Crimson hold an 8-2 record.

Junior infielder Priyanka Kaul led Harvard at the plate in the series finale, driving in a team-high two runs on two hits.

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The Crimson take all three games against Columbia, outlasting the Lions in extra innings in the series finale!#GoCrimson pic.twitter.com/JWzUUhrTS6
— Harvard Softball (@HarvardSB) April 14, 2024
 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

After retiring the Crimson (18-13, 9-6 Ivy League) in order to start the game, Columbia (12-18, 7-5) manufactured the opening score to take an early lead. Back-to-back Lions reached to start the inning, as Columbia grabbed the lead with an RBI-single, 1-0.

Three hits put Harvard in control in the second inning. A walk from junior infielder Maya Douglas and a single from first-year catcher Alexa Wohr provided Harvard with a scoring chance. With two outs, Kaul lifted an RBI-single to shallow right field, evening the score, 1-1. A single from sophomore Lael Ayala kept the inning alive, as the Crimson jumped to a 3-1 lead after a Columbia fielding error in the next at-bat.

Kaul sends an RBI-single to right field to tie the game!

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— Harvard Softball (@HarvardSB) April 14, 2024
 

Harvard struck again in the fifth inning, growing the lead with a run. Douglas kickstarted the frame with a leadoff single, as sophomore outfielder Finley Payne sliced her first single of the afternoon, putting two runners on for Kaul. With two runners in scoring position, Kaul popped a pitch to right field, bringing home Douglas, 4-1.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, the hosts equalized, scoring three runs in the frame. In consecutive at-bats, the Lions hit two RBI-singles, evening the score heading to the seventh inning, 4-4.

The top of the lineup put Harvard back in front in extra innings. First-Year infielder Sophie Sun launched a pitch to the right field wall, reaching second with senior infielder Madi Mays heading to the dish. On a full count, Mays drove pitch to right field, scoring Sun for the game-winning run. Sophomore pitcher Riley Flynn retired the Lions in order to win the game.  

HARVARD LEADS

Madi Mays brings home Sun to give the Crimson the lead in extra innings!

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??https://t.co/GbP1PG6BHU#GoCrimson pic.twitter.com/wInvbS4lEs
— Harvard Softball (@HarvardSB) April 14, 2024
 

The Crimson scored five runs on 11 hits, recording double-digit hits for the third game in a row. Kaul powered the Harvard offense, driving in a team-high two runs on two hits. Flynn retired seven straight batters in the circle to end the game.

HARVARD HIGHLIGHTS:

• Harvard earns its first series sweep in Ivy League play this weekend, defeating Columbia in all three contests.
• The Crimson played its first extra-innings contest this season in the 5-4 victory against the Lions.
• Kaul paced Harvard's bats in the series finale, driving in a team-high two runs on two hits.
• Nine different student-athletes logged a hit in the series finale.

UP NEXT:

The Crimson kick-off a six game homestand on Tuesday, Apr. 16, hosting RV Boston University at Soldiers Field. The contest begins at 3 p.m and will air live on ESPN+.

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