"Hello, Paramount Pictures? My name is Alex Nahigian, and I've got a story for you that you won't believe..."

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Spring training 1980. Absent: living legends Larry Brown and Mike Stenhouse (lost to the pros), last year's star pitcher Tim Clifford and assorted other luminaries. Present: a freshman shortstop, three freshman pitchers, a freshman right fielder, a designated hitter, a spotty pitching staff, new uniforms. Outlook: "There's really no way I can tell because we haven't been outside, but we'll go as far as the pitching will take us."--Nahigian.

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Conversation in sunny Florida between sore-armed hurler Rob Alevizos and important major-league trainer:

TRAINER: In my experience, after it's hurt twice the arm comes back stronger than ever.

ALEVIZOS: Yeah?

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"Freshman Hurlers Whitewash Columbia...Larson, Doyle Blank Lions By 11-0, 7-0" (March 31, 1980)

"Crimson Pounds Dartmouth, 8-4, 10-4" (April 14, 1980)

"Crimson Edges Tigers" (April 19, 1980)

"The only thing better than being 6-1 is being 7-0."--Chuck Marshall

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A blend of youth and experience sparked the Crimson to a league-leading 7-1 record. Seniors Charlie Santos-Buch, Bobby Kelley, Mark Bingham, Rick Pearce and Ron Stewart were joined by sensational young shortstop Brad Bauer, remarkable hurlers Billy Doyle and Bill Larson and designated hitter Eddie Farrell (all freshmen) as Harvard sprinted out in front of the pack. Next: On the Road.

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