Brown’s Second No-Hitter Sparks Sweep

Harvard sophomore Rachel Brown made her mark on Crimson softball history a little over a week ago when she pitched the first no-hitter of her career.

It seems that history likes to repeat itself.

Brown recorded her second no-hitter of the season in the first game of Harvard’s doubleheader against Columbia, leading the Crimson (14-16, 6-2 Ivy) to a 3-0 victory over the Lions (8-20, 1-7) yesterday at Soldiers Field. Harvard completed its sweep in the nightcap with a 2-1 win.

“Columbia played exceptionally well,” Crimson coach Jenny Allard said. “Their pitching was very strong, and they made a lot of the defensive plays that they needed to make...It was a tough battle today.”

The weekend’s results allowed Harvard to close out its non-divisional play on a high note.

“We came out strong,” Allard said. “I think we had a very focused effort, and we played well from pitch to pitch.”

“We have our eyes on winning the North Division,” Brown added. “We can’t let any games go. We have to win every single one. I’m really proud of the team today.”

HARVARD 2, COLUMBIA 1

With some good teamwork in the second inning, Harvard was able to pull ahead and gain enough of the lead to secure its 2-1 victory over the Lions.

With the bases loaded and only one out, it looked like trouble was on the horizon for the Crimson.

But junior second baseman Ellen Macadam fielded a groundball to force an out at home, and sophomore pitcher Julia Moore scooped up a comebacker and threw it to first for the final out, allowing Harvard to escape from the jam.

“We didn’t get rattled when they had runners on base who were threatening, which was definitely a strength,” Allard said.

The Crimson then finished out the second with two runners crossing the plate.

Senior Jennifer Francis reached on an error that scored freshman Jessica Ferri, and sophomore Mari Zumbro’s single up the middle plated senior Jessica Pledger.

Columbia was able to get onto the scoreboard in the top of the fourth when freshmen Jennifer Bergeron hit a fielder’s choice that allowed junior Stephanie Yagi to cross the plate.

It wasn’t enough to overcome Harvard, which defended its lead with successful relief pitching by co-captain Margaux Black and Brown.

The Crimson emerged from the second game of its doubleheader with a clean sweep.

“We got enough runs to string it together,” Brown said. “We were happy we came out on the winning end.”

HARVARD 3, COLUMBIA 0

Brown pitched the second no-hitter of her career to lead Harvard to a 3-0 victory over the Lions in yesterday’s opener. With 90 pitches, she allowed one baserunner on a first-inning error and struck out 12, securing her ninth win of the season.

“No-hitters are very tough to get,” Allard said. “She was strong. She executed well and was very zoned in...Rachel was outstanding today and was definitely a strength for us.”

The defense was strong on both sides, as Columbia pitcher Maureen O’Kane was able to match Brown through the first five innings to keep the scoreboard clear.

But she couldn’t hold off the Crimson quite long enough.

Francis sparked Harvard in the bottom of the sixth with a single to right field. Consecutive bunts by juniors Emily Henderson and Macadam helped Harvard load the bases.

Senior Stephanie Krysiak then had a sharp 2-RBI hit over second base to put the Crimson on the scoreboard. Sophomore Whitney Shaw finished the spree with a double over the shortstop, bringing Krysiak home to give Harvard a 3-0 lead and the game.

“We did enough and got it done,” Brown said. “We’ve learned that every game matters the hard way...so these games are huge for us.”