“It’s a good start for the game if you’re playing to have a good ending for your seniors,” Fritsch said.

“The leadership on this year’s team has been really good,” Brown added. “And we all respect the seniors a lot. They have really brought this program back to a good spot and left Harvard softball with a really good reputation.”

The Crimson took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second, as Bettinelli opened the inning with a single to right and then stole second. Goldberg followed with a liner down the right field line, giving Harvard runners at the corners. A Montijo grounder allowed Bettinelli to come home with the only run that the Crimson would need.

In the top of the fourth, Brotemarkle got into trouble with runners on first and second and no outs. But she induced Fry to line softly to Bettinelli at second, who doubled up pinch-runner Lacey Neahr at second base.

The Big Green’s Ashley Thorfinnson then sent a sinking line drive to right field.

Kidder charged the ball, diving forward and to her left and making the spectacular catch to short-circuit the Dartmouth rally.

Harvard padded its cushion in the top of the fifth. Montijo led off with a single through the left side, and sophomore center fielder Kerry Flaherty’s sacrifice bunt advanced the runner.

Kidder lofted a ball over the second baseman’s head and then stole second. With two runners in scoring position, Harvard coach Jenny Allard sent Adams to the plate to pinch hit for Stefanchik. The move proved apt, as Adams blasted a towering shot to center that didn’t need the aid of the strong wind that was blowing all day to clear the fence easily.

Brotemarkle recorded the last three outs with a small measure of difficulty. After managing the first out, Brotemarkle allowed a single through the left side and then a bloop single to left that put runners at first and second. But the co-captain buckled down and struck out Kerry Conway and gave up a liner that traveled right into the glove of Kidder in right.

Bettinelli, Kidder and Montijo each went 2-for-3, with Montijo adding an RBI and a double that smacked two-thirds up the center-field fence.

The Crimson will play its final game of the year at 4 p.m. tomorrow at Soldiers Field against Boston College.

—Staff writer J. Patrick Coyne can be reached at coyne@fas.harvard.edu. —Staff writer Carrie H. Petri can be reached at cpetri@fas.harvard.edu.