Two big innings for the Crimson made the difference in the deciding game. In the bottom of the third, Harvard took advantage of a Columbia error to break a 1-1 tie and take a commanding 4-1 lead.

Crimson freshman Lauren Stefanchik bunted her way on base to begin the rally. The very next batter—tri-captain Lisa Watanabe—grounded a potential double-play ball to the right side, but the Columbia first baseman threw the ball wide of second base and into right field. Stefanchik, who was 2-for-4 in both games yesterday, advanced all the way to third on the play, while Watanabe moved to second.

Whitton made the error hurt, bouncing a seeing-eye single past Marconi to score Stefanchik. But after a groundout and strikeout, it looked as if Lion workhorse Allison Buehler—pitching in her third game of the day—would hold Harvard to just one run in the inning.

Williamson made sure that didn’t happen. She laced a double, plating both Watanabe and Whitton and providing Harvard hurlers Guy and Tanner with sufficient run support.

“We were hitting the ball solid in the first game, but we were hitting it right to people,” Allard said. “Then things started falling our way. Buehler started to get tired, but she had an unbelievable day. I give Columbia a ton of credit. To come in here as a No. 4 seed and finish in second place is tremendous.”

After each team scored once in the fourth inning, the Crimson pulled away with five runs in the bottom of the sixth. Whitton began the onslaught with a home run to right-center field, her 13th round-tripper on the season.

After tri-captain Sarah Koppel reached base because of catcher interference, Goldberg, Williamson, and pinch hitter Cecily Gordon each singled and ultimately scored for the final margin of victory.

Each team scored once in the first inning. Harvard’s run came on back-to-back doubles from Whitton and Koppel.

Guy started and pitched three innings for the Crimson, surrendering just one run. Tanner allowed two hits and one run in four innings of work.

“Tanner played a key role both Saturday and Sunday for us,” Allard said. It was great because I wanted to get her some innings in this tournament.”

Columbia 4, Harvard 2

As it began to rain yesterday afternoon, Columbia poured on its offense.

With Harvard leading 2-1, the Lions plated three runs in the top of the fifth to take a lead it would not relinquish.

Sophomore Kara Brotemarkle, who no-hit Columbia through the first three innings, seemed to be in control when Lion centerfielder Monica Thompson grounded into a fielder’s choice for her team’s second out. However, Brotemarkle walked Columbia’s ninth batter. The next batter, shortstop Nikki Campbell, doubled down the left-field line, scoring a run. After the next batter was hit by a pitch, Lion catcher Courtney Ryan capped the rally with a double over Stefanchik’s head in left, bringing in the third and fourth Columbia runs and chasing Brotemarkle in favor of Guy.

Harvard took a 1-0 lead in the first when Whitton brought Stefanchik home with a sacrifice fly.