"This is definitely the strongest lineup we've had in my four years," Teller said. "From top to bottom we have players who are capable of hitting the ball hard."

But Harvard would not need to hit the ball anymore. Thoke came in to pitch the final two innings, struck out three of the six batters she faced and retired the side in order in the seventh to seal the win.

Harvard 8, Holy Cross 0

The first game was not as problematic for the Crimson. Behind a nine-strikeout performance by Thoke, Harvard ended the game one inning early by forcing the eight-run mercy rule into effect after the sixth inning.

For a while, however, it seemed that Harvard did not want to score. Two baserunning errors in the early innings cost the Crimson at least one run. Both occurred when Harvard runners failed to advance on fly balls, apparently having difficulty judging the hits.

The Crimson finally broke through in the bottom of the third when, with the bases loaded, Koppel ripped a single down the leftfield line to score Abeles. McKendry followed with a single up the middle that plated Teller and Thoke, and Harvard led 3-0 after three.

The Crimson was not done, however. Watanabe led off the fourth with a double, and LaSovage followed with a walk. Amberg then laid down a bunt that Holy Cross pitcher Caitlyn McCarthy fielded. McCarthy threw to third, but the speedy Watanabe beat the throw and the bags were juiced for Abeles.

The Crimson's shortstop, infamous for wielding a big stick, smashed one into straightaway center that fell about three feet short of the fence. Watanabe and LaSovage scored on the play, and Abeles ended up on second.