Sophomore Mike Olszyk drilled a first-pitch double to left center, giving the Pioneers a chance to tie the ballgame, but Keuper quickly notched two strikeouts and a lineout to close the game and earn the Crimson a split on the day.

“Keuper came in and did a nice job after a leadoff double,” Walsh said. “He showed a lot of composure.”

As the offense continues to look for a rhythm early in the season, Harvard will rely on its pitchers to keep the squad competitive. With the sophomore class emerging to anchor the rotation and the bullpen, the Crimson has finally seen its tremendous depth on the mound blossom into a dominant group.

PERLMAN’S STATUS

While the squad is content with its strong starters thus far, Harvard still awaits the return of staff ace Perlman. Twelve months after Tommy John surgery, the hurler was on pace to make an impact this year before experiencing biceps tenderness in practice.

“[Perlman] had it checked out and it was nothing, but he’s been very tentative with it since,” Walsh said. “He has not thrown hard since. It’s hard to push somebody when they’re coming back from Tommy John, but he was doing so well. I don’t know what to expect.”

—Staff writer Max N. Brondfield can be reached at mbrondf@fas.harvard.edu.

This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:

CORRECTION: March 30, 2010

An earlier version of the Mar. 29 sports article "Pitchers Shine in Second Season" incorrectly stated that junior Max Perlman had his surgery 14 months ago. In fact, the surgery occurred 12 months ago, according to Perlman's father.