Harvard responded by winning its next three games in dominating fashion. On Wednesday the Crimson took both games of a doubleheader against Slippery Rock University, 10-4 and 11-1. The next day Harvard posted its second shutout of the young season with an 8-0 drubbing of C.W. Post.
Albers and sophomore Andrew Huling led the way for the Crimson during this stretch as they did all week. In the doubleheader alone, Huling went four-for-six with four RBIs, four runs scored, a home run, a double and two stolen bases. As if that were not enough, he also picked up the win on the mound.
Albers was a perfect three-for-three in game one of the twin billing with a double, a home run and five RBI. The senior captain has started off the season "en fuego" at the plate batting .448 (including three doubles, a triple and a round tripper) while driving in nine runs and scoring seven more.
Sophomore pitcher Andrew Duffell picked up the victory in the first game against Slippery Rock. He gave up six hits and did not allow an earned run in five innings of work. Sophomore Don Jamieson threw a complete game shutout, giving up six hits and only one walk to earn the win over C.W. Post.
Harvard capped off its Florida visit with a three game series against the University of Miami. The Hurricanes are currently ranked eleventh in the nation and the Crimson knew it had a tall order.
After dropping the first two games 10-2 and 22-4, Harvard called on its ace, senior southpaw Frank Hogan, to lead the program to its biggest victory in recent history. The Crimson's lone First Team All-Ivy selection last season would not disappoint his teammates.
Hogan gave up five runs and struck out six batters through eight innings. In the bottom of the seventh inning with his team leading 9-3 and the bases loaded, Hogan struck out Miami's Mark Walker to end the inning and preserve the lead.
Offensively, the Crimson was helped by six Miami errors. But Harvard did not need the assistance as it pummeled All-American pitcher J.D. Arteaga for nine hits and sent him to the showers early in the sixth inning.
Trailing 1-0 in the third inning, the Harvard bats came alive and the Crimson took control. Kessler reached base on an error, and sophomore Hal Carey (3-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 runs) followed with a single up the middle.
Huling then drove in Kessler, and Albers drove in Carey to give Harvard the lead. Albers stole second and scored on a tough hit down the third base line by sophomore Todd Harris.
Harris had a sensational week at the plate, primarily as a pinch-hitter. He is batting .615 with four RBI.
Harvard padded its lead in the sixth. After a leadoff walk by sophomore Peter Woodfork and a single by sophomore catcher Jason Keck (2-for-4, 2 runs), Kessler had an RBI single and stole second.
Carey then continued his fine hitting performance. Last season's Ivy League Rookie of the Year singled to center driving in Keck and Kessler and ending Arteaga's evening a bit early.
The Hurricanes cut the Harvard lead in half in the bottom of the ninth inning to add some drama to the contest. But Kalyvas came on in relief of Hogan and struck out Walker to end the game and start the celebration.
"We knew we had a tough schedule [for the week]," Albers said, "but we showed we can execute. We're definitely a better ball club now."
The Crimson continues its season on Wednesday with a home game against the University of New Hampshire at 3 p.m. and starts the Ivy season this weekend with doubleheaders at Columbia and the University of Pennsylvania.
After winning the Red Rolfe Division last year, but coming up shy of the Ivy League title to Princeton, Harvard is determined to finish atop the Ancient Eight standings this season.
After strong performances and key victories over top opponents in Florida, the Crimson seems well on its way to postseason play.
"We'd like to make ourselves known nationally," Albers said. "Our goal is the Ivy League Championship. We'd like to make a statement in postseason play, and we can't do that without winning the Ivies."