"The key to success is preparation."

This is the philosophy of Barry Haskell, the new coach of the softball team. One who practices what he preaches, Haskell has had his squad at 7 a.m. workouts in Briggs Cage since early February and there is no question the Crimson will be well drilled when the season opens April 2 against the University of Vermont.

But Harvard must overcome a good deal of adversity to be competitive in this year's Ivy race.

"It should be somewhat of a building year," Assistant Coach Julie Sasner said. "We lost a few really good players."

Graduation has stripped the Crimson of second baseman Mary Baldauf and shortstop Sharon Hayes--both first-team All-Ivies and four-year starters.

But injuries may hold Harvard back even more.

The biggest blow to the squad is the loss of Co-Captain Lora Rowning. Last year, Rowing shut down opponents with a brilliant 2.13 ERA and earned second-team All-Ivy honors. This season, the standout pitcher will miss most of the year with a broken thumb.

Harvard will also be without the services of senior infielder Brita Lind, who is also hurt.

Senior Backbone

Despite the losses, the Crimson returns nine healthy players from last year's rollercoaster .500 season (11-11 Overall, 2-6 Ivy).

The backbone of the team will be a veteran group of seniors: Co-Captain Nancy Prior, Elizabeth Crowley and Ellen Cox.

Quite Offensive

Crowley is expected to lead Harvard's hitting attack. In the process of earning first-team All-Ivy awards last year, she was among the team leaders in every offensive category, including a team-leading .408 batting average.

Cox and Prior were also major contributors at the plate, with Cox boasting a strong .320 average and Prior trailing only Crowley for the team RBI lead.

A-Prior-i

Prior will catch for the Crimson with freshman Mary Rodriguez backing her up. In her first season of collegiate catching last year, Prior was very steady. Besides having a great command of the field, the senior threw out all but three baserunners on steal attempts.

The infield also appears to be solid, with first base being manned by sophomore Beth McNamara. Both Cox and freshman Katie Frucher should see time at second and freshman Rachel Donaldson will be filling the gap left by Hayes at shortstop. Sophomore Beth Reilly returns to play third base.

The outfield, too, is well established.

Crowley will be joined by sophomores Armstrong. Jen Clawson and Beth Wambach, and frehman Florence Rallon.

The most pressing concern for the Crimson will be pitching.

With the loss of Rowning, Harvard's pitching hopes rest on the arms of junior Lee Polikoff, who recorded a respectable 3.14 ERA last year, and freshman Julie Fromholz.

For most teams, two pitchers is a comfortable number. But Harvard is in the process of building a stronger program with greater challenges and goals. After assuming the coaching duties, Haskell immediately expanded the schedule to include 29 games, including several doubleheaders. Both pitchers will carry a heavy workload. Coach:  Barry Haskell Captains:  Lora Rowning, Nancy Prior Last Year:  (11-11, 2-6) Home Games:  Soldier's Field The Schedule

April Sun, 2  at Vermont (2)  1:00 p.m. Tue, 4  PROVIDENCE (2)  3:00 p.m. Thu, 6  at Smith  3:30 p.m. Sat, 8  PENNSYLVANIA (2)  1:00 p.m. Sun, 9  PRINCETON (2)  1:00 p.m. Thu, 13  at Boston College (2)  2:30 p.m. Fri, 14  MAINE (2)  3:00 p.m. Sat, 15  HOLY CROSS (2)  1:00 p.m. Tue, 18  BENTLEY (2)  3:00 p.m. Sat, 22  FORDHAM (2)  1:00 p.m. Sun, 23  DARTMOUTH (2)  1:00 p.m. Tue, 25  TUFTS (2)  3:00 p.m. Thu, 27  BOSTON UNIV.(2)  3:00 p.m. Sat, 29  at Yale (2)  1:00 p.m.

May Tue, 2  at Brown  3:00 p.m.