The last time the Holy Cross softball team visited Soldiers Field was for last year's NCAA best-of-three play-in series versus Harvard. The Crimson handily swept that series to end the Crusaders' season.
If Holy Cross was looking for revenge yesterday, its search went astray. Defending Ivy League champion Harvard (6-11) opened its home season with a convincing doubleheader sweep of Holy Cross (11-11). The Crimson took the first game 8-0, forcing the mercy rule into effect after the sixth inning, and used a four-run fifth inning to win the second, 7-5.
"It's definitely a confidence booster to come back to our home field and show what we're capable of," said co-captain Terri Teller.
Harvard's offense was led by Teller and co-captain Deborah Abeles along with sophomore catcher Mairead McKendry. Teller maintained her hot stick from the Crimson's West Coast spring break swing, going 3-for-5 with four RBI and three runs scored.
Abeles had a 2-for-6 afternoon on a pair of doubles with two RBI and four runs scored. McKendry went 4-for-6 on the day with three RBI and Harvard's only home run.
Sophomore hurler Chelsea Thoke (4-6) picked up both victories, striking out 12 batters in eight innings of work.
Harvard 7, Holy Cross 5
Two batters later, Teller looped a Texas leaguer over second base that plated Amberg, and Teller took second when Holy Cross pitcher Genoa Grosch failed to cut off the throw to the plate. Teller scored Harvard's second run when freshman utility player Sarah Koppel roped a double off the leftfield fence.
Read more in Sports
Baseball Goes 3-1, First in IvyRecommended Articles
-
Softball Advances To NCAA Regional"It feels like a dream. It doesn't feel real," said senior leftfielder Hillary Read. "I watched the [women's] basketball team
-
Sooners Sock Softball Twice in NCAA RegionalAll good things must come to an end, and so it went for the Harvard softball team this weekend. Harvard
-
Softball Wins 1, Drops 2 in Show Me StateTo kick off the season, the Harvard softball team traveled to the great Midwest for a spell. Unfortunately, the friendly,
-
Softball Scores Pair of Extra-Inning WinsSomeone forgot to tell Sarah Koppel that she is only a freshman. Rookies aren't supposed to drive in both game-winning
-
High Drama In Softball SweepThe Harvard softball team has a knack for creating drama out of the blase. YALE 1 HARVARD 2 YALE 3 HARVARD 9 BROWN 1 HARVARD 3
-
Softball Winning Streak Snapped by B.U.Soldiers Field had been a sweet home for the Harvard softball team in 1999. The Crimson had won eight in