The Harvard softball team surrendered five runs and seven hits in a 5-4 loss to Columbia in the first game of yesterday’s doubleheader. After the defeat, Crimson Coach Jenny Allard turned to her game two starter, junior tri-captain Kara Brotemarkle, with a simple message—no more.

Brotemarkle responded by pitching a complete game no-hitter—the first for Harvard since 2000—striking out nine and surrendering only three walks.

“I told Kara before the game that she needed to pitch the game of her life and she did,” Coach Allard said.

Junior Rachel Goldberg had two home runs, including one that broke a scoreless tie in game two, giving the Crimson a lead it would never relinquish.

The win snapped a six-game losing streak and marked only the second Crimson victory in the month of April.

Harvard 3, Columbia 0

When two pitchers take the mound who are a combined 5-16 on the season, the last thing to expect would be a pitchers duel.

However, the Lions’ Allison Buehler and Brotemarkle turned in two stellar pitching performances.

Buehler struck out nine batters in her complete game performance, surrendering three runs on five hits.

Brotemarkle turned in the performance of the year in her complete game, no-hit shutout, only allowing one runner to advance as far as second base.

“I felt good to get in a groove which I don’t think I’ve been able to do in a while now,” Brotemarkle said. “The fact that the defense got to every ball made me stronger.”

In the bottom of the third, Goldberg smashed a two-run home run to left center putting the Crimson ahead 2-0.

Harvard put together a solid sixth inning as Goldberg and captain Tiffany Whitton started the inning with singles. Freshman Rachel Murray laced a single to center giving the Crimson a three-run cushion.

Sophomore Lauren Stephanchik had a strong offensive performance in the doubleheader going 5-of-7 including three infield singles while scoring two runs and driving in one.

“She had a tremendous weekend for us,” Allard said. “She just eats up the defense.”