CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Harvard softball fought till the end in a crosstown showdown against No. 23 Boston University, as the Crimson came up short in a 9-5 contest. The game was tied entering the seventh inning, as the Terriers scorecd four runs in the top half of the frame to secure the win.

First-Year infielder and back-to-back Ivy League Rookie of the Week Sophie Sun and junior designated player Maya Douglas paced the Crimson offense, logging a squad-best two hits against the Terriers. Sun extends her hitting streak to 11 as well.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

After a scoreless first inning, Boston University (36-4, 9-0 Patriot) jumped out to a 4-0 lead over the second and third innings. With the bases loaded in the second, a hit by pitch brought in the first run, as the visitors doubled their lead with a walk, 2-0.

In the third inning, the Terriers added to their advantage, scoring a pair of runs on a double down the line and a single just past the glove of sophomore infielder Finley Payne, 4-0.

Harvard (18-14, 9-6 Ivy League) responded with a huge showing in the third, erasing Boston University's four-run lead to take its first lead of the afternoon.

The inning began with back-to-back singles, as first-year outfielder Audrey Szollosi slapped a leadoff single, followed by an infield single from senior outfielder Lauren Bobowski. After a walk from Sun, Szollosi put Harvard on the board, scoring on a wild pitch, 4-1. With the bases loaded, patience at the plate paid off, as Payne walked to reduce the lead, 4-2. On the second pitch of the at-bat, Douglas brought in another run with an infield single, 4-3.

As the frame continued, the Crimson kept finding success at the plate. On another bases loaded opportunity, first-year catcher Alexa Wohr orchestrated a walk to bring in the tying run, 4-4. Kaul carried her momentum from the Columbia series into the showdown against Boston University, as the junior drove in the go-ahead run with an RBI-single, 5-4.

IN THE LEAD!

Kaul puts Harvard ahead in the third inning against BU!

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— Harvard Softball (@HarvardSB) April 16, 2024
 

The visitors tied the game in the fifth inning, evening the score on a sacrifice fly to deep right field, 5-5.

In a tied game heading into the seventh inning, Boston University scored the game winning runs, producing four runs in the frame on an RBI-single and a three-run home run, 9-5.

The Crimson scored five runs on seven hits, as Sun extended her hitting streak to 11 games with a pair of hits against the Terriers. Six different student-athletes recorded base hits as the Harvard worked six walks, tying its season-high.

HARVARD HIGHLIGHTS:

• The Crimson scored five runs against the ranked Terriers, marking the most runs Boston University has allowed in a game since Apr. 2.
• Sun and Douglas each logged a joint team-high two hits in the contest.
• A native of Austin, Texas, Sun is enjoying a 11-game hitting streak, as she leads the Ivy League in batting average (.442).
• Harvard manufactured six walks, tying a season-high.

UP NEXT:

Harvard returns to Ivy League action this weekend, welcoming the Penn Quakers to Soldiers Field for a three-game series on Saturday, Apr. 20 and Sunday, Apr. 21. Admission to Soldiers Field is free of charge and all three games will air live on ESPN+.

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