PRINCETON, N.J. – The Crimson softball team (29-15-1, 16-5 Ivy) clinched a spot in the NCAA Tournament with a win over the Princeton Tigers in game two on Saturday in the Ivy League Tournament to win the tournament title. Harvard split Saturday with the Tigers, falling 6-0 in the first game but coming back with a 3-2 win in the second.
This marks Harvard's sixth Ivy League Playoff series win and eighth trip to the NCAA Tournament after the Crimson finished the regular season with their ninth Ivy League title. Harvard is now the first ever winner of the four-team Ivy League Softball Tournament.
Four Crimson players were named to the Ivy League All-Tournament team in Riley Flynn, Anna Reed, Savannah Fitzpatrick and Megan Welsh. Flynn was named the Ivy League Tournament's Most Outstanding Player after pitching shutout innings against Columbia and getting the win in the Crimson's tournament-winning game.
Game 1 | Harvard 0, Princeton 6
How it Happened
Harvard managed one chance with runners on third in the shutout, ultimately falling short of pushing a runner to home base. The Crimson last got a runner on third in the third, when Kendall Jean made it 60 feet away from scoring with one out.
The Tigers put six runs on the board in the fourth, which was the only inning with any score as both teams remained scoreless for every other inning.
Game Notes
• Katie Arrambide (7-3) got the ball to start for Harvard and took the loss. Combined with Lindsay Poulos, Harvard pitchers faced 26 Princeton hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and 10 fly balls.
• In the batter's box, the Crimson were led by Jean, who went 2-for-3 on the day.
Game 2 | Harvard 3, Princeton 2
How it Happened
The Crimson got on the scoreboard first, starting in the second inning. Harvard scored three runs in the frame, highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of Jean. Princeton put two runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but the Crimson still held on for the 3-2 win.
Game Highlights
• Flynn (8-1) started in the circle and picked up the win for Harvard. The right-hander went 5.1 innings, giving up two runs, both of them earned, on five hits, allowing two walks and striking out three. Reed also made an impact in the circle for the Crimson, throwing 1.2 scoreless innings while allowing one hit, with no walks and one strikeout. They limited Princeton to just 1-for-6 (.167) with runners in scoring position, facing 29 Princeton hitters in the game, allowing five ground balls and 12 fly balls while striking out four.
• Jean led the way offensively for the Crimson, going 1-for-3 in the ballgame with two RBI.
• Harvard's highest scoring inning was the second, when it pushed three runs across.
• The Crimson had control of the rest of the game after moving ahead of the Tigers 3-0 in the bottom of the second.
Up Next
The Crimson will await their destination for the regional round of the NCAA Tournament, which will be announced on Sunday night with the selection show at 7 p.m. EST.
