ITHACA, N.Y. – Harvard softball (13-14-1, 5-3 Ivy) started its weekend series strong with a pair of wins over Cornell (12-15, 4-7 Ivy) in Ithaca this afternoon.

To open the day, the Crimson scored five unanswered to comeback and steal game one. Nicolette Hunter was an X-factor for Harvard, pitching 6.1 innings, getting two hits, and an RBI in the seventh inning.

Carrying its momentum swing from the first game into the second, Harvard tallied a 6-2 win to sweep the day. Audrey Szollosi recorded four hits in as many at bats and four outs in the field to help lift the Crimson to the victory.

HOW IT HAPPENED IN GAME ONE

It was a high scoring first inning for each team in game one beginning with the Crimson tallying two runs. Harvard took the early lead following a bases loaded walk and a sacrifice flyout from Quinn Salazar-Stewart. The Big Red responded in the bottom portion of the inning, rattling off four runs to storm in front.

Cornell maintained its lead through the next five innings, leading by as many as four at 7-3 after the fourth inning.

Looking to kickstart the offense, Sophie Sun delivered her sixth homerun of the season with a solo shot to center field in the top of the fifth inning.

Nicolette Hunter and the Crimson's defense held the Big Red scoreless in the fifth and sixth inning, setting up a chance for a seventh inning rally. Also delivering at the plate in game one, Hunter drove in the first of four Harvard runs in the final inning. With the bases loaded, the junior knocked a shot to left field, driving in Salazar-Stewart and pulling the Crimson within two.

Following a shot at the shortstop by Audrey Szollosi and an error at home plate, Elena Weinseimer and Sun scored to tie the contest at seven-all. The ensuing at bat. Sheila Forbes singled to center field, driving Ellie Davis in and giving Harvard its first lead since the opening inning.

With Hunter on the mound, Harvard completed its comeback, holding the Big Red scoreless for the third consecutive inning to secure the 8-7 win.

HOW IT HAPPENED IN GAME TWO

Riding the momentum built in the first game, Szollosi singled to left field in the first at bat of game two and later scored off a Finley Payne single. The Big Red responded in the bottom of the first to even the contest courtesy of a homer to centerfield.

The two teams again traded runs and the game was deadlocked at two after three innings.

The Crimson went on to silence the Big Red's bats, not allowing another un for the remainder of the game. For Harvard, it pulled in front in the fifth inning as a series of wild pitches drove in two runs.

Harvard extended its lead further in the final inning. Hannah Ziecik reached base following a walk and Szollosi recorded her fourth hit of the day to put the Crimson on first and second. Another Big Red error helped Harvard add two more runs in the inning, solidifying the Crimson's 6-2 win.

HARVARD HIGHLIGHTS

• Audrey Szollosi recorded five hits and scored five times across the two games, including going a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate in game two.
• Nicolette Hunter was crucial on the mound and at the plate for the Crimson. The junior recorded two hits and struck out three in 6.1 innings in the first game.
• Six different Harvard players tallied RBI's in game one.
• Sophie Sun recorded three hits and a home run across the two Harvard wins.

NEXT UP

The Crimson will wrap up its series against the Big Red tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. ET in Ithaca, N.Y.