CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – For the second time this season, Harvard softball earns a series sweep in conference action, as the Crimson defeated Yale in both games of the doubleheader at Soldiers Field this afternoon. With the wins, Harvard extends its winning streak to eight games, the longest active winning streak in the Ivy League.

A total team effort at the plate highlighted Harvard's 9-3 win against Yale in the doubleheader opener, as five different Crimson recorded multiple hits against the Bulldogs. Infielders Maya Douglas, Finley Payne, and Sophie Sun all drove in three runs, as Payne and Sun launched key home runs in the third and fourth innings.

Just like it did in the series opener, the Crimson erased an early deficit against the Bulldogs to complete the sweep, 3-1. Sophomore pitcher Nicolette Hunter went the distance in the circle, as she only allowed one run while forcing 17 groundouts, ending the contest with six-straight scoreless frames.

HOW IT HAPPENED IN GAME ONE:

The pitchers made their marks in the early stages of the first contest between Harvard (19-8, 8-4 Ivy League) and Yale (18-22, 6-9), as the score was even at zero heading into the third inning.

The Crimson opened the scoring in the third, manufacturing two runs in the frame. Payne scored the first run with one out, sending the second pitch of her at-bat to deep center field for a solo home run, her fifth of the year. Harvard didn't stop there, as singles from Sun and first-year designated player Alexa Muller put two runners on for Douglas with two outs. Douglas doubled the Crimson lead, as she sent a ball to shallow right field for an RBI-single, 2-0.

After the Bulldogs cut into the Crimson's lead in the top of the fourth with an RBI-single from Katie Donahey, Harvard showcased its power yet again to extend the advantage. A perfectly performed bunt from senior outfielder and team captain Savannah Fitzpatrick and a single from sophomore outfielder Audrey Szollosi set the table for three-run homer from Sun, putting the Crimson ahead, 5-1.

Two more runs arrived for Harvard in the fourth. After walks from Muller and senior infielder Priyanka Kaul, Douglas sent a shot off the wall, logging her second and third RBIs of the twinbill opener to put the Crimson up by six.

The fifth frame saw both sides exchange two runs each. The visitors scored two runs on two hits, as Harvard answered with two runs of its own. Payne delivered again at the dish, as her line drive single scored the final runs of the contest, restoring the Crimson's six run lead, 9-3.

Harvard produced nine runs on 11 hits, as the Crimson have recorded double-digit hits in 12 contests this season. With home runs from Payne and Sun, Harvard has now hit multiple home runs in a game on six different occasions this year.

Junior pitcher Riley Flynn got the start in the circle, only allowing two earned runs in five inning of work, posting five strikeouts in the process. Fellow classmate Ryan Grace closed the door with scoreless and hitless innings in the sixth and seventh.

HOW IT HAPPENED IN GAME TWO:

The series finale saw Yale strike first, opening the scoring in the first inning with an RBI single.

Between the second and the fourth, the Crimson and Bulldogs traded scoreless frames, as the starting pitchers were excellent in the series finale. After conceding the run in the opening frame, Hunter silenced the visitors, posting six-straight scoreless innings in the win.

Harvard's offense came to life in the fifth inning, tallying three runs with resilience at the plate to take the lead, as all three runs were scored with two outs. With singles from junior outfielder Lael Ayala and Szollosi, the Crimson capitalized with runners on yet again, as Payne cleared the bases to give Harvard the lead with a double, 2-1. Sun padded the lead, ripping a shot down the left field line for an RBI-single to score Payne, 3-1.

From there, Hunter shut the door on the Bulldogs, posting her fifth complete game of the year to secure the win for the Crimson. A native of Camarillo, California, Hunter forced 17 groundouts from the Bulldogs. Payne led the way with a team-high three hits and two RBIs, her eighth multi-hit effort of the year.

HARVARD HIGHLIGHTS:

• Harvard owns an eight-game winning streak, with all victories against conference foes.
• The Crimson's eight-game winning streak, the longest active winning streak in the Ivy League.
• In the 9-3 win against Yale, Harvard hit multiple home runs in a game for the sixth time during the 2025 campaign.
• Harvard was resilient all series long at the plate, ending the set against Yale with a .429 batting average with two outs.
• The Crimson pitching staff was superb all series long, posting a 1.52 team ERA with 17 strikeouts in the three contests.

 UP NEXT:

The Crimson wraps up its homestand this weekend, as Brown heads into town for a three game series on Saturday, Apr. 19 and Sunday, Apr. 20. Admission to Soldiers Field is free of charge and the entirety of the series between Harvard and Brown will air live on ESPN+.

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