As usual, Harvard Coach Joe Walsh will trot out his stable full of workhouses. Senior John Birtwell, freshman Kenon Ronz, and Crockett will likely start three of this weekend’s games. That usually means good news for Harvard—provided the offense can hold up its end.

So far this year, the pitching rotation has been every bit the all-star cast predicted. In 23 innings of work, Birtwell has posted a miniscule 1.57 ERA. Ronz and Crockett, meawhile, have been no less impressive, though they have just one win between them due to Harvard’s lingering lack of offensive production.

Freshman hurler Marc Hordon may also get the nod in one of this weekend’s games. The rookie righthander—who was named Ivy League Rookie of the Week after going —suffered his first loss last week after starting the season 2-0.

The Crimson’s other usual weekend starter, junior Justin Nyweide, may or may not be available after working in Wednesday’s disappointing 7-2 loss to Rhode Island. In that game, Nyweide was a tad too generous with the free passes, allowing four walks. But he was helped little by the Crimson fielders, who committed a ghastly seven errors,

With Harvard trailing 4-0 after three innings, Walsh decided he had seen enough. In a desperate effort to send his team a message, the Crimson skipper pulled six of his position players off the field and out of the game. With newcomers like freshman John Farmer and sophomore Nick Seminara inserted in off the bench, the Harvard lineup was almost as unrecognizable as the Boston Red Sox’ Opening Day infield.

“[Coach Walsh] was telling the position players that he expects a lot more out of us,” Shakir said. “He has a lot of confidence in us, but we haven’t met his expectations. Or are our own.”

Junior third baseman Nick Carter was one of only two Harvard starters who were spared the benching. He would prove deserving of his manager’s confidence in him, slugging a two-run homer that provided all of Harvard’s runs. It was his fourth of the year.