This ability to spray fieldable hits makes McAteer a useful resource, but Allard notes that hitters are quick to figure out her pitching and expects McAteer to be most valuable once through any opposing lineup.

BEHIND THE PLATE

Harvard has perhaps its most experience of any position behind the plate in senior Annie Dell’Aria and junior Erin Halpenny. Dell’Aria played her first season for the Crimson last spring after transferring from Notre Dame.

She also brought a big bat with her, finishing third on the team with 17 RBI last season.

Halpenny has been a reliable and solid player since her freshman season and is very comfortable behind the plate. She also contributes from third base, where her fielding percentage was .984 last season.

Backing up these two starters is sophomore Sarah Shaughnessy, who walked on as a freshman. She will see limited time at catcher, mainly playing as a pinch runner.

ON THE SAND

With confident players manning every position, this year’s infield should be very solid and equally deep.

Senior Cecily Gordon anchors the defense at first base and brings a heavy bat at the plate. She led last year’s team in battingaverage (.317), slugging percentage (.468), and doubles (9).

“She’s a very calming presence and communicates well,” Allard said. “She’s a good hitter, solid hitter. She’ll be 3-4 for us.”

Freshman Danielle Kerper will play behind Gordon in the field, but will contribute heavily on the offensive side as a designated hitter. Her slugging percentage of .535 after 12 games led Harvard, and she already has a double, a triple, and two home runs to her credit.

The duo of sophomores Lauren Brown and Julia Kidder moves into the center of the infield this year to shortstop and second base, respectively. Last season, Brown and Kidder contributed defensively from the outfield, but with the graduation of four-year starters Rachel Goldberg ’04 and Sara Williamson ’04, they transition to their recruited positions for the 2005 season.

“We’re going from an unnatural position to a more natural position,” Brown said. “We feel really comfortable playing with each other, and we get along really well which helps a lot.”

“They’re very gifted athletes, and they have good arms,” Allard said. “They just need games under their belt. They’ve been really working hard communicating, playing together.

Also look for Bettinelli to fill in at second base when not on the mound. Bettinelli, who only started pitching her sophomore year, is a powerful utility player at almost every infield position and was initially pegged as a second baseman.