PRINCETON, N.J. – Harvard softball battled in every pitch in its Ivy League Tournament showdown against Princeton, as the Crimson fell just short against the tournament hosts, 5-1.
In the circle, sophomore pitcher
Nicolette Hunter was once again sensational, holding Princeton scoreless for five innings, forcing 12 groundouts from the Tigers. At the plate, sophomore infielder
Sophie Sun led the way with two hits and one RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
After a pair of scoreless frames to start the contest, Harvard (26-13, 15-6 Ivy League) plated the first run of the Ivy League Tournament faceoff against Princeton (27-17, 17-4) in the third inning. With one out, junior infielder
Finley Payne skied a pitch off the wall in center field, stopping at second for a double. Down 0-2 in the count, Sun delivered, bringing home the opening run with a line drive RBI-single.
Stellar pitching defined the majority of the contest between the Crimson and the Tigers, as the score was 1-0 heading into the sixth inning. In its half of the sixth, Princeton took its first lead of the day, scoring five runs to make it a 5-1 scoreline.
The Crimson fought until the final out in the seventh inning. Sophomore outfielder
Audrey Szollosi dropped a perfect bunt to provide Harvard a leadoff runner, as Payne reached safely on an error. A hit from Sun loaded the bases, as the Tigers recorded three-straight outs to end the contest.
Harvard collected seven hits against Princeton, as Payne and Sun both collected multiple hits against the Tigers on Friday night.
HARVARD HIGHLIGHTS:
- Harvard ends the 2025 season with a 26-13 record, collecting 20 or more wins in a season for the 18th-straight year.
- Sun ends the season as Harvard's leading hitter for a second consecutive year, collecting a .411 batting average with 53 hits.
- Hunter led the Crimson in earned run average with a mark of 2.31 across a team-high 106.0 innings.
For complete coverage of Harvard Softball, follow the team on Twitter (@HarvardSB) and Instagram (@harvardsb).
