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Lael Ayala celebrates the game-tying home run
12
Winner Harvard HARV 25-15
4
Yale YALE 20-24
Winner
Harvard HARV
25-15
12
Final
4
Yale YALE
20-24
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Harvard HARV 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 8 12 20 2
Yale YALE 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 4 7 1

W: Reed, Anna (7-6) L: Meredith Henderson (5-6)

Game Recap: Softball |

Softball Earns Thrilling Extra Innings Win Against Yale

PRINCETON, N.J. – Harvard softball began its time at the 2024 Ivy League Tournament with a thrilling contest, outlasting Yale in extra innings, 12-4.

In the top of the seventh, the Crimson trailed by two runs with two outs, as sophomore outfielder Lael Ayala hit a two-run home run off the left field foul pole to send the contest to extra innings. Harvard secured the victory with an explosive offensive showcase in the ninth inning, scoring eight runs in the frame.
HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Crimson wasted no time in the Ivy League Tournament opener, taking a quick lead in the top of the first inning. After two walks and an error, senior infielder Madi Mays ripped a line drive RBI-single to left field, scoring the first run, 1-0. A sacrifice fly from sophomore infielder Finley Payne doubled the lead, 2-0, heading into the bottom of the first.

A great defensive play ended a Yale scoring in the bottom of the second inning. With runners on the corner and one out, first-year infielder Sophie Sun flipped a ground ball to Payne, who fired over to first base to complete an inning ending double play, keeping the Crimson in front, 2-0.
In the bottom of the third inning, Yale leveled the score, logging a pair of runs on a fielder's choice, 2-2.  The next inning saw the Bulldogs take their first lead of the game on an RBI-single, 3-2.
With runners on the corners in the bottom of the fifth, Yale extended its advantage, scoring a run on a single down the left field line, 4-2.

Harvard manufactured an unforgettable moment in the top of the seventh inning. With two outs and two strikes, Ayala sent a shot to deep left field, as her hit rattled off the left field foul pole to tie the game with a two-run home run, 4-4. The clutch homer against Yale is Ayala's third home run this season, her first since Apr. 13.

After a scoreless eighth inning, Harvard's offense opened the flood gates in the ninth, scoring eight runs to open up a big lead against the Bulldogs. Facing a bases loaded opportunity, senior outfielder Lauren Bobowski slapped an RBI-single to center field to score the go-ahead run, 5-4. In the next at-bat, Sun sliced an RBI-double down the left field line, bringing home a pair of runners, 7-4. The Crimson kept passing the bat, as back-to-back RBI-singles from first-year outfielder Audrey Szollosi and Mays scored an additional two runs, 9-4. A pair of RBI hits from junior infielder Priyanka Kaul and Ayala scored the final runs of the contest, 12-4.
Harvard finished with 12 runs on 20 hits, as Ayala drove in a game-high four runs on four hits, setting career-highs in both categories.

HARVARD HIGHLIGHTS:
  • Ayala's home run in the seventh inning is her third this season, as she hit her last home run on Apr. 13 against Columbia.
  • A native of Atlanta, Ga., Ayala set new career-highs in hits (4) and RBIs (4) against the Bulldogs.
  • Three different Crimson drove in two or more runs in the 12-4 win against Yale.
  • Harvard recorded 20 hits in the win, tying the most in a game for the Crimson this season.
  • The Crimson have scored double-digit runs five times this season.
UP NEXT:

Harvard advances to the winners' bracket at the 2024 Ivy League Tournament, as the Crimson will face the victor of the Princeton, Dartmouth contest on Thursday, May 9. First pitch times will be determined in the near future and Crimson fans can catch every inning of the 2024 Ivy League Tournament on ESPN+.

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