“I actually think that’s really helpful to have that goal because you want to help the team by getting a higher GPA—it’s more motivation for you,” Smith said.

Last season, the Crimson was recognized by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association for having the fifth-highest GPA in NCAA Division I softball. The leaders of the team, like team captains Zoe Galindo and Morgan Groom, communicated early on what was to be expected from the freshmen.

“They have really set a tone, and followed the tradition of our team culture,” Allard said. “[The seniors] as a class are strong and really know what Harvard softball is about, what it represents.”

A common theme amongst the freshmen in discussing their transition to college softball was family. As most freshmen experience, there is a period during one’s first year of college of having to meet new people and figure out a way to balance class with extracurricular activities.

The freshmen softball players had the advantage of having a family on campus that they could go to for support.

“I think our freshman class gelled instantly,” Shively said. “Our group of freshmen not only play well together and enjoy each other’s company, but we’re just friends on the field and off the field.”

Not only were the freshmen able to come together as a group, but they also were instantly welcomed on the team.

Shively summarized the feeling of the freshmen as a whole when she said, “Basically the culture was one of a family, and I knew that if I was going to Harvard that I would be part of a family for the next 4 years. That was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up.”