Batswomen Demolish Tufts, 14-3

Yesterday's sunshine threw light on the hidden potential of the Harvard softball team. Fielding four freshman starters, the Crimson battered Tufts, 14-3, to boost its overall record to 10-8 (1-3 Ivy League).

"It was fun to play in 60-degree weather for the first time in several games," Coach Jon Wentzell said.

Co-Captain Mary Baldauf started the hitting parade with a hit in the first inning and finished the day with two hits and three runs. Elizabeth McNamara followed Baldauf with two runs and two hits, including one double. Beth Reilly and freshman Beth Wambach scored two runs each.

The Crimson had eleven hits on the day.

Harvard pulled away in the third inning, recording six hits and getting four walks. By inning's end, Harvard held an 8-0 lead.

Harvard's hitting game was complemented by a commendable performance by Harvard pitcher Lora Rowning, who allowed only five hits, one of them a homerun.

"She pitched really well," Baldauf said. "We didn't give up many hits."

"We hit the ball with authority," Wentzell said. "The walks certainly helped out, but that came after we had already scored eight."

Harvard is out of the running for this year's Ivy League title. Youth may have had something to do with the Crimson's early exit from the title hunt.

"Last year we had more seniors," Baldauf said. "It's a very young team."

But if yesterday's performance is a sign of things to come, then the future looks bright for Harvard softball.

"It's a very young team," Baldauf said. "All the freshman have been playing well."

The Crimson has two Ivy League games remaining. Victories in both would give Harvard a 3-3 league record.

Harvard plays B.U. tomorrow, then takes on Yale Saturday in a doubleheader at Soldiers Field. The Crimson will wrap up the season Tuesday in a twinbill against Brown.

"We're hoping this will get the ball rolling for our next six games," Wentzell said of yesterday's game. "We'll be up and we'll be ready for Yale. I'm sure the kids will be sky high for that one."