“We’ve got a great situation here,” Walsh added. “We feel we have two top-flight D-I catchers.”

The Crimson will need both Mann and Lentz, regardless of position, to be in fine form this weekend for doubleheaders against Princeton (10-15, 3-1 Ivy) on Saturday and Cornell (8-9, 2-2) on Sunday. Play begins at noon both days.

The league rival Tigers have played in seven straight Ivy League Championship Series, five against Harvard. The Crimson has won the last four playoff meetings.

While Harvard lost seven of its regular position players, Princeton is returning 10 of its top 11 hitters. In addition, the Tigers have a rock-solid pitching staff that will present at least two of its top three starting pitchers in the doubleheader tomorrow.

Ross Ohlendorf, last year’s Ivy Rookie of the Year and one of the best starters in the league, will be a definite nuisance for Crimson hitters with his 90-plus fastball.

Reliever Thomas Pauly, an American Baseball Coaches Association third-team All-American last year, struck out 14 batters in 11 innings of work last week. He is expected to be the first Ivy player to go in this year’s MLB draft.

“It always comes down to pitching against Princeton, and I don’t think this weekend will be any different,” said Walsh.

“The hitters are going to have to give our pitchers run support,” said Ronz. “These are going to be close games if their stud [pitchers] don’t shut us down.”

Last season, the Crimson opened its Ivy campaign with sweeps of Princeton and Cornell. After a mediocre 2-2 start to its league season last weekend, Harvard could use a similar performance.

Thanks to the continuing winter weather, Harvard has not yet had a full practice or game on its home turf of O’Donnell Field. But the squad’s still eager to begin Ivy play on familiar territory.

“It’s definitely an edge,” Walsh said of the home field advantage. “We’re happy to be home.”

—Staff writer Lisa J. Kennelly can be reached at kennell@fas.harvard.edu.