MIAMI, Fla. – Harvard softball continued its time at the FIU Classic with a doubleheader against Atlantic 10 foe Fordham, as the Crimson split the contests against the Rams.

Harvard went wire-to-wire to start the day in South Beach, as the Crimson blanked the Rams for a 4-0 win, its second shutout win this season. Once again, junior pitcher Nicolette Hunter was superb in a two-way role, as the Camarillo, California native posted a complete game shutout with three strikeouts and drove in two runs at the plate as well.

In the second contest against the Rams, the Crimson erased a three-run hole in the fifth inning, forcing extra innings against Fordham. The Crimson would take a 5-4 lead in the eighth inning, as Fordham would go on and win, 6-5.

HOW IT HAPPENED IN GAME ONE

For the fourth straight contest, Harvard (6-7, 0-0 Ivy League) light up the scoreboard with a run. With two outs, Payne crushed a shot to deep right center field for a solo home run, giving Harvard a 1-0 lead with her second homer of the 2026 campaign.

After back-to-back scoreless frames, Harvard added two more runs on consecutive hits. Already producing a stellar showing in the circle, Hunter also found success at the plate, bringing home a run with an RBI double. Senior outfielder Lael Ayala kept the train moving, following Hunter's RBI double with another RBI double, pushing the Crimson lead to 3-0.

The top of the sixth saw the Crimson score the final run of the contests. With a leadoff single from sophomore infielder Alexa Muller, Hunter once again produced offensively, driving in another run with her second double of the afternoon.

From there, the Crimson shut the door on Fordham (5-9, 0-0 Atlantic 10), earning the 4-0 win. Hunter posted her second complete game shutout of the season, only allowing five hits and picking up three strikeouts.

HOW IT HAPPENED IN GAME TWO

Fordham scored three runs in the first three innings against the Crimson, opening up a 3-0 lead heading into fourth frame. The Crimson cut into Fordham's advantage in the top of the fourth, as Muller drove in a run on a bunt single and Ayala skied a ball into the outfield to score another run on a sacrifice fly, 3-2.

The Crimson took its first lead of the contest in the fifth inning. With two runners in scoring position, Payne cleared the bases with a two-run RBI single, 3-3, as another sacrifice fly, this time from first-year infielder Hannah Ziecik, put the Crimson into the lead, 4-3.

With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Fordham leveled the score, 4-4, forcing extra innings for the first time this season. The Crimson immediately capitalized in the top of the eighth, as sophomore catcher Quinn Salazar-Stewart put Harvard ahead, 5-4, as Fordham would win the contest in its half of the eighth with a home run.

Harvard ended the second meeting against Fordham with five runs on 12 hits, recording double-digit hits in a game for the fourth time this season. Four Crimson recorded two hits against the Rams, senior pitcher and team captain Ryan Grace pitched two shutout innings out of the bullpen.

HARVARD HIGHLIGHTS

• Harvard records double digits in a contest for the fourth time this season, collecting 12 in the second game against Fordham.
• With two hits against Fordham, junior outfielder Audrey Szollosi has recorded multiple hits in a game in four contests this season.
• Hunter leads the Crimson in strikeouts with 33 this season, as Hunter drove in a career-high two runs in the first game against Fordham.
• Hunter has two complete game shutouts this season.

UP NEXT

Harvard concludes its time in Florida tomorrow at 9 a.m., as the Crimson will face either FIU or South Dakota in the FIU Classic finale.

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