PHOENIX, Ariz. – Harvard softball ended the opening day of the 2026 season with a dramatic victory, as the Crimson earned a 5-4 walk off victory against Northern Colorado with a two-run RBI single from senior infielder Finley Payne.

After falling short against Sacramento State, 1-0, in the season opener, Harvard's offense rebounded in the primetime meeting against the Bears, scoring five runs on 11 hits. Junior outfielder and team captain Audrey Szollosi shined at the plate in the win, leading the Crimson in hits with three and runs with two.

Senior pitcher and team captain Ryan Grace was superb in the circle in both contests, as the Sammamish, Washington native only allowed one run and five hits with a team-best six strikeouts across 7.0 innings of work.

HOW IT HAPPENED IN GAME ONE

The Crimson pitching staff was stellar in the season opener against Sacramento State, as three different pitchers combined to only allow one run and seven hits at the GCU Softball Stadium. Junior pitcher Nicolette Hunter started the game for Harvard (1-1) in the circle, putting 3.1 innings of work, tallying two strikeouts and allowing just one run. Grace and senior pitcher Riley Flynn combined for 3.2 innings in the circle and three strikeouts, as neither pitcher allowed a run.

Offensively, five different Crimson tallied a hit against the Hornets in the season opener. First-year infielder Hannah Ziecik collected her first career hit in her Crimson career debut, as Payne, junior infielder Sophie Sun, sophomore outfielder Quinn Salazar-Stewart and Szollosi all logged hits in the first contest of 2026.

Sacramento State (7-2) scored the only run of the game in the fourth inning and held on for a 1-0 victory. The Crimson ended the contest with five hits and did not commit an error against the Hornets.

HOW IT HAPPENED IN GAME TWO

After Northern Colorado (3-6) opened the scoring in the top half of the first inning, Harvard orchestrated an immediate response in its own half of the frame. Back-to-back bunts from Szollosi and Salazar-Stewart set the table for Sun, as the Crimson shortstop cleared the bases with a two-run RBI single, 2-1.

The two sides exchanged runs in the third inning after a scoreless second frame. Northern Colorado tallied two runs on back-to-back hits in the top of the third, as Harvard evened the score at three all after a Bears fielding error.

Across the next three frames, neither side produced runs, as the scoreboard stood even at 3-3 heading into the seventh inning. After Northern Colorado tallied a run in its half of the seventh, the Crimson completed the comeback in the bottom of the seventh. Sophomore outfielder Elena Weinseimer and Szollosi started the inning strong with two leadoff hits, as the Bears loaded the bases by intentionally walking Sun. With the bases loaded, Payne punched a ball back up middle, securing the first win of the season with a two-run walk off RBI single.

The Crimson ended the dramatic win against the Bears with five runs on 11 hits, as Szollosi led the way with three hits and two runs. Sun and Payne both drive in two runs each, as Grace earned the win in the circle after pitching four innings, striking out four batters and only allowing one run on three hits.

HARVARD HIGHLIGHTS

• The Crimson is 5-1 on opening day during head coach Jenny Rohn's three seasons at the helm.
• Szollosi led the way for the Crimson against Sacramento State and Northern Colorado, posting team-highs in hits (4) and runs (2).
• Across 7.0 innings of work in the circle, Grace only allowed one run with a team-high six strikeouts.
• Ziecik and first-year outfielder Sheila Forbes each recorded their first career hits.

UP NEXT

Harvard ends its time in Phoenix tomorrow, facing off against tournament host Grand Canyon at 1:30 p.m. eastern time and taking on Northern Colorado for a second time at 4 p.m. EST. The Crimson's meeting against Grand Canyon will air live on themw.com.

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