Ricciardone’s bat refused to cool off. A single to left field resulted in her third RBI of the week, and the junior added another the following day. Since returning from the team spring trip to California, Ricciardone has six hits and six RBIs.

“I give the credit to her,” Allard said. “She came to coaches and asked to hit…. The team was struggling at times, and she came to us asking if she could swing the bat.”

The following day, Ricciardone took the circle for the fourth time that week. While most pitchers would be tired from already pitching 17 innings over the past few days, the junior didn’t miss a beat.

“The Brown series is always difficult,” Ricciardone said. “It’s taxing to face the same hitters over and over again, so you need to really have command of your pitches and a solid defense behind you to rely on.”

It would take Ricciardone only 17 batters to make it through her four assigned innings. She allowed only five base runners on the afternoon, while giving up no runs on the day.

“She commanded her pitchers and attacked their weakness,” said Allard. “She was phenomenal…. She has really been stepping up for us this year, and there is no question.”

The last time Ricciardone lost a game was March 21, and if she keeps pitching like this, she does not look poised to lose anytime soon.

—Staff writer Andrew Farber can be reached at andrewfarber@college.harvard.edu.