The Harvard softball team continued its spring break road trip Tuesday, splitting its two games at the Marina International Hotel Showcase in Los Angeles.
The Crimson was a strike away from winning its first game against Wisconsin, when the opposition made a stunning four-run comeback to win, 5-2. Harvard came back fired up in their second game and defeated Loyola Marymount, 4-1.
Co-captain Ellen Macadam continued to be a driving force, extending her hitting streak to 10 games. She currently leads the Ivy League in hits and total bases and is second in runs scored, home runs, and slugging percentage.
"Ellen has just been a stud," junior pitcher Rachel Brown said. "We look to her to get rallies going, and we all have so much confidence in her at the plate. She's had an incredible start to the season, and it's really exciting to watch her play."
HARVARD 4, LOYOLA 1
In its second game of the day, Harvard (7-4) was pitted against the tournament hosts, Loyola Marymount (7-13).
Despite taking an early 1-0 lead in the second inning, the Lions were unable to fend off the Crimson, which came back in the next inning to score three runs and grab the lead.
Senior Emily Henderson started things off with a walk and was followed by Macadam, who reached first due to a throwing error. Harvard's first run of the game came shortly after, when sophomore Ashley Heritage doubled down the left field line to bring in Henderson.
A few batters later, freshman Kasey Lange's sacrifice fly brought home Macadam, and sophomore Stephanie Regan knocked in Heritage with a single.
In the fourth inning, junior Mari Zumbro slammed in a solo home run-her first of the season-to bring the Crimson's lead to three runs. Harvard held onto its advantage throughout the last three innings and ultimately won the game, 4-1.
This victory marked the first collegiate win for freshman pitcher Laura Ricciardone, who struck out five batters and allowed for only one run on seven hits.
"Laura pitched a great game, especially after giving up that home run in the beginning," junior Whitney Shaw said. "She showed great composure and was really able to shut them down after that. She just took the game pitch by pitch and totally had their number. She was a huge factor in our win."
WISCONSIN 5, HARVARD 2
The Crimson held a 2-1 lead for most of its first game against Wisconsin (9-7), but the squad ultimately suffered a heartbreaking loss when the Badgers—down to their last strike—scored four runs in the seventh inning.
The game began quietly, with no scoring until the third inning, when a Wisconsin batter singled and then came home on a Harvard error.
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Losing, in Three Parts (continued)