Stefanchik’s presence has a ripple effect that makes the whole team better. With intelligent hitters like Watanabe and Second Team All-Ivy sophomore Kim Koral batting behind her, the Crimson can set the table for Whitton. Whitton has flourished as the No. 3 hitter, tallying 21 RBI in her first 16 games, almost as many as she had all of last season (25).
Koppel, often behind Whitton in the lineup, has 10 RBI herself. That number is even more impressive considering that she has 13 walks this season—a vast improvement over last year when she had just five.
In addition to her direct contributions, Stefanchik’s aggression on the basepaths seems to be contagious. Through 17 games, the team had already doubled its stolen base total of 15 from a year ago with 33 steals in 37 attempts. That has given Harvard a huge advantage this year, as its opponents have a mere eight steals in comparison.
Several returning starters, namely Whitton, Williamson, Cooley, Watanabe, and sophomore shortstop Rachel Goldberg, have already stolen more bases than they did all last season. Freshman Ashley Augustine has also added two steals of her own as a pinch runner.
All that additional offense would be useless without the pitching to back it up, but this year’s rotation is as deep as they come.
It wasn’t that long ago (1999) when Chelsea Thoke ’01 was often called upon to pitch both ends of doubleheaders for Harvard. It makes it somewhat ironic that the year after she graduated, the Crimson is five arms strong.
Whitton and sophomore Kara Brotemarkle have come back strong from last season, while Guy—who pitched an Ivy-clinching shutout in 2000—returns after taking 2001 off. Throw in freshmen Lauren Tanner and Beth Sabin, and the staff is two pitchers deeper than last season.
“This is the best shape we’ve ever been in as far as pitching goes,” Allard said. “We have three experienced pitchers and two freshmen who are doing a good job. So if someone’s hurt or someone’s sick, we don’t miss out.”
Such is the case going into Ivy play—Whitton has been temporarily out of the rotation with rotator cuff injuries, but the team hasn’t missed a beat.
The five-pitcher arsenal also gives Harvard the option of using relievers to confound opponents. This can be effective because the five pitchers have a wide range of styles.
A variety of talents coming together with the whole being greater than the sum of its individual parts is, after all, what the concept of team is all about. Few teams reflect this idea better than Harvard softball.
One of the few negatives aspects of the upcoming season is that the team will grace the Harvard campus with its presence for just four of its 14 Ivy games this season.
Other than the scheduled season finale against Boston College on May 2, the Crimson’s only considerable homestand of the season runs from Apr. 11 to Apr. 18. So anyone hoping to see the newfound speed and strength of the softball team at Soliders Field will have little opportunity.