Lee and Cupp said that the final score did not reflect the actual game. "We played with them," Lee said.

The team stepped up in subsequent doubleheaders against St. Mary's--a Harvard sweep--and Wisconsin--a split.

"We were not very impressive [in the Sacramento State Tournament], but we did much better in the two doubleheaders," Lee said. "We played really well in the Hayward tournament. The level of play in that tournament was not as high as it was in the Sacramento State tournament, but it was still pretty competitive."

Cupp went 6-3 over spring break, winning her last three decisions. "Tasha can definitely dominate teams," Abeles said. "She was very good against U.C.-Davis. She is a good riseball pitcher, and she has a good changeup. She can definitely be a strikeout pitcher"

Freshman Jessie Amberg currently leads the team in batting with a .360 average. In the Hayward semifinal and championship. Amberg filled in for junior Jenny Franzese, who was side-lined with chronic back pains.

Abeles, who takes over at shortstop for Amy Reinhard'96, has also seemed very comfortable, Cupp said.

"[Abeles] is taking charge, she's a leader out on the field," LaSovage said. Currently third on the team in batting at .338, Abeles leads Harvard in hits, RBIs, assists, slugging average and triples.

"My biggest adjustment has been to college hitting; there's an extra three feet," Abeles said.

While not a fast team overall, Harvard has speed in Lee, Franzese, and LaSovage. LaSovage leads the team in stolen bases, with six.

This year's team is also very deep.

"The bench can pinch-hit and get hits," Lee said. "We have players who can be good, heads-up baserunners. It's a lot different than last year's team."

Harvard is scheduled to face Hartford tomorrow and Maine on Saturday. Yesterday's game at URI was canceled.