As the second inning began, the Crimson built up to a 4-0 lead after Giaquinto hit a single with the bases loaded and two outs allowing two more runs to cross home plate. The offense came out strong in the opening game against Brown with Rich, Kaplan, junior left fielder Dallas Hogan, and sophomore third baseman Erin Lockhart all stealing bases.

“We had some people really step up in big situations, but it wouldn’t have been possible if our pitchers and defense hadn’t done such a good job of keeping them off the bases,” Shively said.

Harvard didn’t score for the other innings but held its lead for the rest of the game with a standout performance by senior pitcher Taylor Cabe.

The Boiling Springs, S.C. native pitched a two-hit shutout, allowed only two hits, and struck out five batters. In the first six innings, Cabe only allowed two baserunners. The senior wrapped up her phenomenal game by stranding two runners in the bottom of the seventh.

HARVARD 7, BROWN 4

The Crimson rallied for five runs in the top of the seventh inning to post a come-from-behind win in the opening game of the weekend series.

Trailing 4-2 at the start of the seventh, Harvard erupted for four hits and benefited from two errors to put five runs on the board. Kaplan got the inning started with a rare catcher’s interference, and she later scored on a squeeze bunt from Shively. Schiffhauer singled in Lockhart to tie the game, and Nishizawa tacked on two more with a double into the gap in right-center. Later, Hogan reached on a throwing error, and Schiffhauer crossed the plate to put the Crimson on top, 7-4.

Nishizawa had a breakout game, going 3-for-4 at the plate and driving in four of Harvard’s seven runs. Schiffhauer and Giaquinto added two hits each.

The Crimson was aggressive on the basepaths against Bears catcher Julia Schoenewald. Kaplan, Hogan, and co-captain Giana Panariello each had a stolen base.

Duncan put together a solid start in the circle, throwing five innings and giving up two earned runs. Cabe entered in the sixth and held Brown scoreless in the final two frames.