SOFTBALL 2, YALE 1

Harvard cracked open a scoreless game in the top of the seventh, taking the game and the sweep over the league-leading Bulldogs.

Bettinelli and Yale’s Beth Pavlicek locked horns in a pitcher’s duel for six innings, keeping both teams off the board through six.

But in the top half of the final inning, with the score still nil-nil, the Crimson was able to finally break through the Bulldog defense. Fritsch walked to lead off the inning, and freshman Susie Winkeller came in to run for her. Bettinelli attempted to sacrifice herself and move the runner to second by bunting, but Yale elected to try to get Winkeller at second and failed.

Halpenny then bunted and moved both runners up, setting the stage for Williamson, who singled home Winkeller and sent Bettinelli to third.

A walk to Goldberg loaded the bases, and freshman right fielder Julia Kidder was struck by an offering from Pavlicek, forcing home Harvard’s second run of the game, and giving the Crimson a two-run advantage heading into the bottom of the seventh.

But the Bulldogs were not done biting.

After Niki Haab led off with a pinch-hit home run, Harvard head coach Jenny Allard elected to go to her senior ace Brotemarkle in the dicey situation, and her move proved quite sage.

Brotemarkle retired the next three batters, thwarting the Yale comeback and earning her second save of the year.

Goldberg and Halpenny went 1-for-2, and Lauren Stefanchik, Williamson, Pilar Adams and Bettinelli all went 1-for-3.

Bettinelli surrendered one run on eight hits, picking up the win.

SOFTBALL 6, YALE 0

Brotemarkle blanked the Bulldogs with a four-hit, 10-strikeout performance, and Fritsch went yard for a three-run blast to propel the Crimson to its first victory on Saturday afternoon.

“The game was great,” Brotemarkle said. “We had a ton of energy and we had fun playing out there.”

Harvard jumped right on the board early with a four-run first inning.