Sophomore Rachel Brown pitched a no-hitter for the second-straight weekend, with a fielding error again the only thing standing between her and perfection. The pitcher hurled 14 scoreless innings over the weekend, striking out 26 batters and earning two wins and a save.

Harvard sophomore Rachel Brown made her mark on Crimson softball history a little over a week ago when she pitched the first no-hitter of her career.

It seems that history likes to repeat itself.

Brown recorded her second no-hitter of the season in the first game of Harvard’s doubleheader against Columbia, leading the Crimson (14-16, 6-2 Ivy) to a 3-0 victory over the Lions (8-20, 1-7) yesterday at Soldiers Field. Harvard completed its sweep in the nightcap with a 2-1 win.

“Columbia played exceptionally well,” Crimson coach Jenny Allard said. “Their pitching was very strong, and they made a lot of the defensive plays that they needed to make...It was a tough battle today.”

The weekend’s results allowed Harvard to close out its non-divisional play on a high note.

“We came out strong,” Allard said. “I think we had a very focused effort, and we played well from pitch to pitch.”

“We have our eyes on winning the North Division,” Brown added. “We can’t let any games go. We have to win every single one. I’m really proud of the team today.”

HARVARD 2, COLUMBIA 1

With some good teamwork in the second inning, Harvard was able to pull ahead and gain enough of the lead to secure its 2-1 victory over the Lions.

With the bases loaded and only one out, it looked like trouble was on the horizon for the Crimson.

But junior second baseman Ellen Macadam fielded a groundball to force an out at home, and sophomore pitcher Julia Moore scooped up a comebacker and threw it to first for the final out, allowing Harvard to escape from the jam.

“We didn’t get rattled when they had runners on base who were threatening, which was definitely a strength,” Allard said.

The Crimson then finished out the second with two runners crossing the plate.

Senior Jennifer Francis reached on an error that scored freshman Jessica Ferri, and sophomore Mari Zumbro’s single up the middle plated senior Jessica Pledger.

Columbia was able to get onto the scoreboard in the top of the fourth when freshmen Jennifer Bergeron hit a fielder’s choice that allowed junior Stephanie Yagi to cross the plate.