If there’s one thing that has become apparent this season, it’s that for Rachel Brown, there will be no sophomore slump.

The pitcher led the Harvard softball team to a split at this weekend’s Amy S. Harrison Classic in Riverside, Calif. The Crimson is now 4-5 on the season, with all of its wins credited to Brown.

But the sophomore got some help from her offense this weekend, as Harvard won a pair of close games against Northern Illinois by coming from behind—including an extra-inning victory on Saturday.

“I think our team shows a lot of heart when it’s down to the wire,” Brown said. “I certainly did not have any doubt that we were going to win that game in extra innings. And I think especially in really close situations, our team has a sense of urgency, and we really thrive in that environment.”

The Crimson paired its two wins with two lopsided losses, falling to Idaho State Saturday before being blown out by UC Riverside yesterday.

UC RIVERSIDE 11, HARVARD 1

The host Highlanders (10-14) beat up on Harvard in yesterday’s tournament finale, taking an 11-1 win in a run-rule-shortened contest.

Junior Ellen Macadam continued her recent tear at the plate, leading the game off with a homer down the left-field line. Macadam was 4-for-12 for the tournament.

“She made some great adjustments this weekend, and she is definitely starting to hit her stride,” Crimson coach Jenny Allard said.

But UC Riverside dominated from there, torching freshman Jessica Ferri for eight runs in three innings—though only three of those runs were earned. Sophomore Julia Moore allowed three unearned runs in an inning of relief before the game was called.

“[Ferri]’s definitely her [own] toughest critic, and we all have complete 100% confidence in her,” Brown said. “She might be disappointed in her performance right now, but we all see so much potential in her.”

Alexis Villamor led the Highlanders with four RBI.

HARVARD 5, NORTHERN ILLINOIS 4

Brown pitched four innings of perfect relief to earn her fourth win of the season as Harvard plated a run in the bottom of the eighth for a narrow 5-4 win in Saturday’s nightcap.

Freshman Kassy Shiotani, who was placed on second to start the eighth, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt from sophomore Jane Alexander and was brought around by senior Stephanie Krysiak’s fielder’s choice.