HARVARD 12, TEXAS-ARLINGTON 1

Coming off two straight losses to open its California trip, the Harvard team looked completely different as it took the field for its second day of action. But after Ricciardone gave up a run in the first to Texas-Arlington (14-18), it seemed like it would be more of the same for the Crimson.

That one run would prove harmless, though, as Ricciardone dominated the rest of the game. Throwing a complete game, the junior allowed only four hits the rest in the remaining six frames. Ricciardone moved to 3-3 on the season, as she struck out six batters to earn the win.

From there, Harvard’s offense exploded. In the second, Lantz scored on a single by Callaway, opening the floodgates. Bradley then drove in a run on a sac fly, and Harvard marched in four runs.

The Crimson showed the promise of what its offense could be this season, as the team added eight more runs. Lantz was the star with four hits and an RBI, and Emily Gusse and Olson each drove in two runs.

SAN DIEGO STATE 10, HARVARD 6

Harvard faced off against the home squad in a quick turnaround from its opening loss. The Aztecs came out firing on all cylinders, as SDSU scored eight runs in just two innings. Ricciardone struggled in the circle, giving up six earned runs and eight hits in only 1.2 innings pitched.

Harvard chipped away at the lead, responding with two runs of its own in the second. Smart base running and heads up softball helped easy the score, as Hume and freshman Lindsey Hagberg crossed the plate.

The defense quickly tightened up for the Crimson, as they held the Aztecs scoreless for the next four innings. More small-ball in the fourth inning added four more runs for Harvard including RBIs from Lange and Callaway.

In only her second time in the circle this year, junior Gabrielle Ruiz came in and pitched well for the Crimson. The junior went 5.1 innings, striking out four and allowing only two earned runs.

Nonetheless, down just two runs heading into the seventh, SDSU managed to respond, putting Harvard away for good. The Crimson suffered its second loss of the day, as it couldn’t rally the bats one last time.

LONG BEACH STATE 6, HARVARD 5

In its, the Crimson squared off against Long Beach State (23-9). After the second inning, the scoreboard read 3-0 Harvard, as Katherine Applebee and Gusse got their bats going early.

Despite the early offensive production, Harvard quickly surrendered the lead, giving up three runs in the ensuing inning. Cabe only allowed two earned runs and nine hits in the circle, but the Crimson struggled defensively.

“Taylor Cabe coming in as a freshman has had an immediate impact,” Ricciardone said. “She’s a hard worker and a competitor.”