With the help of a propitious solo homerun and some inclement weather, the Harvard softball team (8-15, 1-0 Ivy) defeated reigning Ivy League champion Cornell (17-5, 0-1 Ivy) 1-0 in Ithaca on Saturday.

Senior Deborah Abeles blasted a solo shot off of Nicole Zitarelli with two outs in the top of the fifth inning, breaking a scoreless tie and propelling the Crimson to victory. The game-winning blast was Abeles' third of the season and the 20th of her career. As a junior, she set a Harvard softball record with 10 homeruns.

With the Big Red threatening in the bottom of the sixth with a runner in scoring position and the team's RBI leader Christina Trout at the plate, the game was halted due to heavy rain, drowning any hopes of a late-inning comeback for Cornell.

"Going into the league season, we figured that Cornell would be one of our toughest competitors, " Abeles said. "Emotionally it was a huge victory for us."

Before Abeles' homerun, a pitching duel between the two junior aces of each staff set the tempo of the game. Cornell starter Nicole Zitarelli (11-2) pitched well in the loss, scattering five hits, including the mistake to Abeles, and two walks in five strong innings of work. Not to be outdone by the rival Big Red, junior Chelsea Thoke (4-8) turned in an outstanding performance for the Crimson. Thoke tossed a no-hitter, striking out five en route to her fourth victory of the season.

"This was a very important victory, and it was a great way to open the Ivy season," Thoke said. "I think that it will set the tone for the rest of the season."

Thoke, a power pitcher with the potential to take over a game, has struggled recently but appeared to regain her form on Saturday, baffling hitters with a combination of fastballs and off-speed pitches.

"Chelsea did an excellent job of challenging the hitters and tying their hands," Coach Jenny Allard said.