The Thunderbirds are a young team, featuring only two seniors, and their inexperience has shown thus far. A .182 team batting average and a 5.96 combined ERA have led to some lopsided losses, and make them the ideal warm-up opponent for the rusty Crimson.

The next morning, however, promises a somewhat stiffer test. In the opening game of a doubleheader, Harvard will take on a battle-tested Cal-Poly team, 10-9 through 19 games played, and one of its pair of top-flight hurlers. Eva Nelson and Robyn Kontra both sport ERAs under 1.50 and between them have pitched every inning for the Mustangs this year.

Immediately following, the Crimson will square off against host UC-Riverside. The Highlanders have stumbled to a 5-18 mark out of the gates, while allowing over four runs a game. Harvard caps off its trip with a rematch against Cal-Poly on Sunday.

The Crimson is confident it can manage the competition represented in the field, so if the team is able to shake off the winter blues, it will likely spring out to a winning record.

“We definitely should beat them,” Kidder said. “They have the advantage in games, but we’re better skill-wise.”

—Staff writer Jonathan Lehman can be reached at jlehman@fas.harvard.edu.