Each year the Harvard and MIT baseball teams square off in a battle for Cambridge bragging rights.

Although the Crimson usually wins, it's never easy. MIT  1 Harvard  3

Such was the case yesterday afternoon at Soldiers Field. Harvard (10-18 overall, 6-10 Ivy) pulled out a 3-1 victory, narrowly defeating a determined but over-matched MIT ball club (1-19).

"This is a big game for MIT," coach Leigh Hogan '75 said. "It's their [equivalent of the] World Series."

The game was characterized by superb pitching from both teams.

Engineer ace Aaron Loutsch, a 6'4 230 pound behemoth, was on the hill for MIT, while Harvard countered with seniors Scott Davidson and Tim Vanech.

Loutsch went the distance for MIT, scattering eleven hits over nine innings while striking out four.

A finesse pitcher, Loutsch kept the Crimson hitters off balance, using a variety off-speed and breaking pitches.

"He did an excellent job today," Hogan said. "We'd take him on our club in a second."

Loutsch was especially tough on Harvard left-handed hitters Brain Ralph and Brett Vankoski, using a three-quarter arm delivery to baffle the Crimson freshmen.

But Harvard's hurlers were equally impressive.

Davidson, making a rare start, was unhittable--literally.

In three innings of work, the right-hander held MIT hitless, while striking out five, four of which went down looking.

Although he was cruising through three innings, Davidson was on pitch count and was removed once he had thrown fifty pitches.

"That was a decision that was made before the game," Hogan said. "We didn't want to use him up. He's a very good pitcher and it's been a frustrating year for him."