MIAMI, Fla. – Harvard softball wrapped up its nonconference tournament slate in the Sunshine State with an enthralling, back-and-forth clash with South Dakota, as the Crimson and Coyotes ended the contest in a 9-9 tie after eight innings due to inclement weather in the area.

The Crimson end a contest in a tie for the first time since the 2023 season, as Harvard's bats produced double-digit hits in back-to-back contests and for the fifth time this season. Sophomore catcher Quinn Salazar-Stewart and junior outfielder and team captain Audrey Szollosi each recorded three hits, as senior infielder Finley Payne and junior outfielder and team captain Megan Davies drove in two runs each as well.

Harvard's offense was explosive across all five contests this weekend, as the Crimson posted a .326 team batting average and scored 28 runs. First-year infielder Hannah Ziecik enjoyed a career weekend down south, leading Harvard in batting average (.583), RBIs (7) and slugging percentage (.833) at the FIU Classic.

HOW IT HAPPENED

It was Harvard (6-7-1, 0-0 Ivy League) that opened the scoring against South Dakota (4-15-1, 0-0 Summit League) in the first inning. As she's done all season, Szollosi set the table with a leadoff single, as the Upper Arlington, Ohio native moved into scoring position by stealing second. With Szollosi now on third base, a groundout from Payne scored Szollosi for the opening run,1-0.

The top of the second saw the Coyotes score three runs, but the Crimson would summon an immediate response in its half of the frame. With runners on the corners, the Crimson executed a double steal, as Salazar-Stewart swiped home plate to put the score at 3-2 heading into the third inning.

South Dakota would continue the back-and-forth scoring to start the third inning, scoring two runs on back-to-back at-bats to push the lead to 5-2.

Following a scoreless fourth inning, Harvard would take the lead with a big showing in the fifth inning, scoring four runs in the frame. Ziecik and sophomore infielder Alexa Muller recorded consecutive singles, as junior pitcher Nicolette Hunter worked a walk to load the bases. Patience at the plate paid off in the next two at-bats, as the Crimson pulled within a run by scoring two runs on two walks, 5-4. A wild pitch would score the tying run, 5-5, as the Crimson jumped to a 6-5 leadoff with a fielder's choice.

South Dakota would log three runs in the top of the seventh, but the Crimson rallied in the bottom of the seventh to send the game into extra innings. With two outs and facing an 8-6 deficit, junior infielder Sophie Sun produced a walk to load the bases. Once again, a bases loaded walk from Payne scored a run, 8-7, as Ziecik kept the Crimson alive by forcing extra innings with a sacrifice fly.

In the top of the eighth inning, South Dakota scored a run, as the Crimson immediately answered with a sacrifice fly from Davies, 9-9. That scoreline would stand, as play was shut down due to lightning in the area.

Harvard scored nine runs on 11 hits against South Dakota, as the Crimson walked a season-high nine times in the FIU Classic finale. Davies drove in multiple runs in a game for the first time in her career, as Salazar-Stewart and Szollosi were tied for the team lead in hits with three.

HARVARD HIGHLIGHTS

• Harvard sees a contest end in a tie for the first time since 2023, as this is the sixth tie in program history.
• The Crimson produced a season-high nine walks against South Dakota, matching the most in a game in head coach Jenny Rohn's tenure.
• Harvard records double-digit hits in back-to-back games for the first time this season, as the Crimson have now recorded 10 or more hits in five games this year.
• Davies, one of Harvard's team captains, drives in multiple runs in a game for the first time in her collegiate career.
• Salazar-Stewart matches her career-high in hits with three against South Dakota.

UP NEXT

Harvard returns to the diamond in Queens, New York on Saturday, Mar. 14 to face Army and St. John's.

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