In Harvard coach Jenny Allard’s tenure, the Crimson softball team has never beaten the University of Massachusetts.

Harvard (15-19, 6-4 Ivy) came as close as ever yesterday, but it ultimately dropped the nonconference doubleheader against the Minutewomen (25-15) at the UMass Softball Complex.

Despite leading early in both games, the Crimson could not hold either lead and fell to UMass for the 11th year in a row.

“In my 11 seasons coaching, it’s the best doubleheader we’ve played against UMass,” Allard said. “We just didn’t finish it off.”

UMASS 4, HARVARD 1

The Crimson took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning, but the team surrendered four runs in the bottom of the sixth to fall behind 4-1.

With two outs, junior catcher Erin Halpenny started the offense with a single to left field. Sophomore shortstop Lauren Brown singled to the same place to keep the inning alive.

With two runners on base, senior pinch hitter Annie Dell’Aria stepped to the plate and dropped a hit into right field. Halpenny scored, while Dell’Aria advanced to second and Brown moved to third.

Brown and Dell’Aria were left on base when senior second baseman Lauren Bettinelli struck out looking for the inning-ending third out.

The Minutewomen responded convinvingly in the bottom of the sixth inning.

After K.J. Kelley knocked in Candice Molinari to even the score, Stacy Cullington launched a three-run home run over right field.

Freshman pitcher Shelly Madick allowed six hits in her 5 2/3 innings, three of which came in that final inning, before junior hurler Michele McAteer forced a groundout to get Harvard out of the inning.

The Crimson managed four hits off of UMass pitcher Barb LaFogg, who recorded seven strikeouts.

UMASS 4, HARVARD 3

The Crimson again struck first in the second game and led through 5 1/2 innings.

Senior centerfielder Lauren Stefanchik led off in the top of the first inning and reached base on an error. Bettinelli reached base on an error as well.

Senior first baseman Cecily Gordon singled to left field, but not before Stefanchik had stolen third, so Gordon collected an RBI on Stefanchik’s unearned run.

With Bettinelli on second and Gordon on first, freshman right fielder Danielle Kerper put down a sacrifice bunt to advance both runners.

Senior designated player Beth Sabin then scored Bettinelli with a groundout.

Sophomore left fielder Susie Winkeller grounded out to third base to end the inning.

The Crimson hung onto its 2-0 lead until the bottom of the third, when the Minutewomen pitcher Jenna Busa, who led off with a single to right center, scored on a wild pitch by sophomore Becky Voaklander.

But Harvard still led 2-1 and would increase this lead in the top of the sixth.

When left fielder Lauren Proctor misjudged a fly ball by Gordon, the latter reached base and advanced to second.

“The wind was blowing, and she just didn’t handle the ball,” Allard said.

Kerper grounded out to second, but Gordon advanced to third.

Sabin recorded her second RBI of the afternoon with a single up the middle, and the Crimson took a 3-1 lead. But UMass evened the score in the bottom of the same inning with two hits and one error.

The Minutewomen led off the inning with two singles by Amanda Morin and Molinari, and the runners advanced a base on Kelley’s sacrifice fly to right field.

Denise Denis earned the RBI as Morin scored on her fly out. Molinary ended up crossing the plate on an error by Stefanchik to even the score at 3-3.

In the top of the seventh, Harvard went one-two-three and took the field again with McAteer coming in to close. With one out, UMass got two singles to put runners on first and second before McAteer struck out Amanda Acampora.

With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Morin hit to co-captain shortstop Kerry Flaherty, who could not throw Morin out at first.

Cullington scored from second to put the Minutewomen ahead by one and end the game. Busa took the win for UMass, allowing only two hits and striking out five.

“It was a tough way to lose,” McAteer said. “We came out really strong in the first inning, and it felt good to be winning for so long.”

The team will finish up its season this weekend on the road against Dartmouth in a double header this Saturday.

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