Harvard Routs Crusaders

After dropping its final two games of the weekend, Harvard (15-11) rebounded yesterday, looking strong in taking both games of its double header with Holy Cross (2-27). The Crimson pitching staff of junior Shelley Madick and freshman Dana Roberts dominated the Crusaders giving up zero runs in twelve innings of work. Backing its pitchers, the Harvard bats exploded for 15 runs on 18 hits.

“It feels good that we are loose and that we are capable of putting things together,” coach Jenny Allard said.

HARVARD 12, HOLY CROSS 0

As her teammates chanted, “we want some more, we want some more,” senior Susie Winkeller came to the plate in the bottom of the third with one out and two runners on base.

Winkeller gave her teammates exactly what they wanted: a three run home run that extended the Crimson’s lead to 7-0 and effectively closed the door on any chance for a Crusader come back.

The rally got going in the third, with the game tied 0-0, and did not let up until 12 batters later. Freshmen Lauren Murphy got things started when, with the bases loaded, she knocked a line drive through the Holy Cross shortstop’s legs, a costly error that scored two runs.

The following two batters, junior Danielle Kerper and freshmen Jessica Pledger, each drove in a run before Winkeller capped off the inning with her three run blast.

The bottom of the fourth inning was more of the same, as the Harvard offense lit up the Crusaders for five more runs. When Holy Cross failed to score in the top of the fifth the game was called short.

“We just talked about stringing some this together, coming out strong, making some adjustments, and putting the pressure on them offensively,” Allard said.

The Crusaders only real scoring opportunity came in the top of the fourth when Roberts walked the leadoff hitter. Two outs later, on a well fielded line drive and a strike out, Roberts walked another batter to put runners at first and second.

However, the fifth Holy Cross hitter of the inning put the ball down the third base line and was easily thrown out at first to end the threat.

The two walks in the fourth were the only blemishes on an otherwise near perfect outing for Roberts who recorded a one-hit, shutout, performance.

“They did not hit her too hard today,” Allard said. “We made a lot of good plays behind her.”

HARVARD 3, HOLY CROSS 0

If offense was the story of the Crimson’s second game, defense, or more specifically pitching, was the story of its first. Junior Shelly Madick gave up no runs and just two hits while putting in a 14 strikeout performance.

“She has been very effective,” Allard said, “And she has been on her game.”

Madick’s “game” so far this season inincludes an impressive 1.66 ERA with 80 strikeouts over 80 innings of work, 41 more innings than any other Harvard pitcher.

“It was very exciting for the defense to be a little relaxed knowing that the pitchers were getting it done,” senior captain Julia Kidder said.

Madick got some run support in the first, second, and fifth innings.

In the first, with Kerper on first and Kidder on third, the Crimson attempted a double steal. The Crusader catcher overthrew her second basemen while trying to nab Kerper at second and Kidder, who leads the team in steals with six, easily came home.

Freshmen Jennifer Francis knocked in the insurance run in the second when her two out single drove in Winkeller. Francis later scored the final run in the fifth off a Kidder double to seal the victory.

—Staff writer Julia R. Senior can be reached at jrsenior@fas.harvard.edu