MIAMI, Fla. – Harvard softball scored 10 runs across two contests to start its time at the FIU Classic, as the Crimson fell just short against South Dakota and tournament host FIU at Felsberg Field at Baptist Health Stadium.

First-year infielder Hannah Ziecik enjoyed a career-day offensively in Harvard's tightly contested 7-5 loss against South Dakota, as Ziecik hit her first career home run with a grand slam in the first inning against the Coyotes.

After falling into a 5-1 hole to start its showdown against FIU, Harvard rallied in the second and third innings, leveling the score at five all in a spirited comeback. Five different Crimson drove in runs and junior pitcher Nicolette Hunter was stellar on the mound, tossing five scoreless innings with six strikeouts. The hosts would score the game winning run in the bottom of the seventh.

HOW IT HAPPENED IN GAME ONE

The clash between Harvard (5-6, 0-0 Ivy League) and South Dakota (4-13, 0-0 Summit League) started off with an eventful first inning. The Coyotes tallied the opening run in the top of the first, 1-0, as the Crimson wasted no time orchestrating a response. With leadoff walks from junior outfielder and team captain Audrey Szollosi and first-year outfielder Sheila Forbes, senior infielder Finley Payne loaded the bases with a line drive single to right field.

Ziecik's first collegiate home run was a memorable one, as the Waxhaw, North Carolina native crushed a pitch to deep left center field for a grand slam, putting Harvard back into the driver's seat, 4-1.

The back-and-forth scoring continued in the second inning, as South Dakota started the frame with a run, as the Crimson regained its three-run lead, 5-2, with an RBI-double from junior infielder Sophie Sun.

From there, South Dakota would score the next five runs of the contest to earn the 7-5 win. The Crimson scored five runs on eight hits against the Coyotes, as Payne and Ziecik each recorded multiple hits.

Ziecik drove in a career-best four runs against South Dakota, all of them arriving with her first career home run in the first inning, as a Crimson drives in four runs in a single game for the fourth time this season.

HOW IT HAPPENED IN GAME TWO

Once again, Harvard's offense found success in the first inning, as the Crimson jumped to a 1-0 lead against tournament host FIU (14-3, 0-0 Conference USA). Szollosi set the tempo, roping a leadoff triple to the opposite field, as Sun brought home the run with a sacrifice fly.

In the bottom of the first, the Panthers recorded five runs on five hits, taking a 5-1 lead into the second and third innings.

Harvard showcased its resilience in South Beach, coming all the way to tie the score by the end of the third inning. It all started in the second inning, as sophomore infielder Alexa Muller and Hunter each produced walks. With two runners in scoring position, sophomore outfielder Elena Weinseimer brought home a run with a sacrifice fly, 5-2.

The Crimson leveled the scoreboard in the third inning. After a leadoff single from Sun, Payne ripped a shot down the right field line for an RBI triple, bringing the Crimson within two, 5-3. Ziecik produced at the dish once again, putting the score at 5-4 with an RBI single. With a runner on, Muller pulled the Crimson all the way back, tying the score at five all with an RBI double.

Coming out of the bullpen, Hunter silenced the Panthers offense for the majority of the contest, tossing five shutout innings with six strikeouts and allowing only two hits across the five-shutout innings. In the bottom of the seventh, FIU took the 6-5 win with a walk off RBI single.

The Crimson tallied five runs on nine hits against FIU, as five different Crimson student-athletes drove in a run. Ziecik recorded double digit hits in consecutive game for the second time in her career, as Harvard has scored runs in the first inning in three straight games.

HARVARD HIGHLIGHTS

• Ziecik's grand slam against South Dakota represents her first career home run.
• A native of Waxhaw, North Carolina, Ziecik drove in four runs, marking the fourth time this year that a Crimson drives in four runs in a single contest.
• Szollosi extends her hitting streak to eight games, the longest hitting streak of her career.
• Harvard has scored in the first inning in three-straight contests.

UP NEXT

Harvard continues its time in the Sunshine State tomorrow, facing Fordham at 10 a.m. to start the day. The Crimson will then wrap the day at either 3 or 5:30 against an opponent to determined.

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