It was two-and-barbecue for the Harvard baseball team in the first round of NCAA regional play last week, a sudden ending to what had been a stellar season.

But the squad—or most of it, anyway—can take solace in one thing. It should be back in the postseason next year.

For a team that will probably say farewell to its two career home run leaders (Zak Farkes and Schuyler Mann), its top postseason starter (Mike Morgalis), and arguably the two most clutch players during its Ivy title run (Ian Wallace and Rob Wheeler), the defending league champions are sitting pretty for 2006.

Why? Two of the strongest recruiting classes in program history.

Start with next year’s seniors, who came in with quite a bit of buzz on the heels of Harvard’s 2002 championship season.

After an injury-plagued first two seasons, Josh Klimkiewicz finally is healthy and was the most consistent power presence in the Crimson lineup this season. He finished the year tied for the league lead in both homers (9) and doubles (16).

Lance Salsgiver—the only first-team high school All-American playing in the Ivies—was a second-team All-Ivy selection in right field, and with his talent he’s capable of more.

Morgan Brown has become the league’s top defensive shortstop, and Frank Herrmann a dominant Ivy starter.

Even assuming Farkes—the junior home run king who should be selected on the first day of the amateur draft—chooses to leave school early, it will be the strongest senior class since Ben Crockett ’02 headlined Harvard’s last Ivy title run.

And then, there are the freshmen.

With Farkes DHing at the start of the season, the Crimson had exactly three holes to fill—third base, centerfield and No. 3 starter.

Three freshmen filled them.

The speedy Matt Vance—a high school shortstop—took over in centerfield. Batting leadoff for much of the season, he was second in the Ivies in steals (15) and third in walks (21).

The Ivy Rookie of the Year Steffan Wilson stepped in at third, and was immediately inserted into the heart of Harvard’s order. He didn’t disappoint, hitting .344-5-33, and showing more consistency than any of the team’s veteran sluggers.

And oh yeah, he set a school record for saves in a season with six.