“Not enough effort at the plate,” Allard said. “We’ve not had enough focus with runners in scoring position. It’s not bad luck; it’s a lack of focus.”

The second inning was scoreless, as Brown struck out the side, and Harvard entered the third frame down a run.

Macadam made it home on a throwing error to tie the game in the third, when the Bulldogs’ catcher tried to catch Shaw stealing second.

Macadam struck again in the top of the fourth, putting the Crimson ahead, 2-1, on an RBI single to bring freshman Jackie Cooley in for the run. But Harvard missed an opportunity to extend its lead, as it left the bases loaded on a strike-out by Shaw.

Bryant responded with a two-run spree in the bottom of the fourth to put them up for good.

Brown returned to form, recording her 11th strikeout to enter the fifth inning with Harvard down 3-2.

Brown’s day would end in the bottom of the sixth as Bryant freshman Aubrey Mable hit a three-run homer, forcing Ricciardone to come in for relief.

Down 6-2, Crimson freshman Alli Scott drove in a run on a single in the final frame, but it was to no avail, as Harvard left two runners on to finish the game.

“It was really a humbling day,” Brown said. “If we don’t bring our A-game, anything can happen. We’ll live and learn.”