Softball Challenges Harvard in 7-5 Setback in Series Opener

Friday, March 29

Cambridge, MA

3:00 PM

Brown University

8-11, 0

Harvard University

8-12, 0

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
BROWN	0	0	5	0	0	0	0	5	6	0
Harvard	0	0	0	4	1	2	X	7	11	0

Softball Challenges Harvard in 7-5 Setback in Series Opener

3/29/2019 5:51:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Senior Cat Seitz and freshman Lauren Innerst each posted two RBIs, but Brown University softball dropped a 7-5 decision at Harvard University on Friday afternoon at Soldiers Field.

In the opener of a three-game Ivy League series, the Bears (8-11, 1-3 Ivy) led 5-0 through three innings before the host Crimson (8-12, 2-2 Ivy) – the defending Ivy League champions – rallied with seven runs between the fourth and sixth frames.

"We got out to an early lead today but give credit to Harvard for coming back," Brown head coach Kate Refsnyder said. "We know that we can compete with any team on our schedule and just have to do a better job of closing out games. We'll have two more opportunities to do that tomorrow."

Seitz (Poway, Calif.) finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs, a double, and a run while Innerst tallied two RBIs at the plate and pitched 3.0 innings with a strikeout in the circle. Senior Ashli Lotz (Austin, Texas) posted a double, an RBI, and a run.

The Bears plated all five of their runs in the top of the third. Freshman Katie O'Leary (Manteca, Calif.) and senior Sofia Venegas (La Mirada, Calif.) set the table with a walk and single respectively. Seitz then began the inning's scoring with a two-run double down the right field line.

Lotz followed with an RBI double to right field, plating Seitz, before Innerst registered a two-run single, bringing home Lotz and sophomore Anya Schmitz (Santa Barbara, Calif.), who worked a walk earlier in the frame.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Crimson pulled within 5-4 behind an RBI double from Megan Welsh, a two-run single from Isabelle Haugh, and an RBI single from Rhianna Rich. Harvard tied the game at 5-5 in the last of the fifth on an RBI double from Morgan Melito. The hosts pulled ahead 7-5 in the bottom of the sixth as Trina Hoang and Megan Lantz each hit an RBI single.

The Bears threatened in the top of the seventh, placing runners on second and third with two outs, before the Crimson closed the game.

Harvard's Katie Duncan earned the win (4-3), pitching 5.0 innings of scoreless relief with four strikeouts.

Brown junior pitcher Emily Waters (Northridge, Calif.) threw 3.0 innings, allowing two runs on five hits. Innerst gave up five runs on six hits with a strikeout in her 3.0 innings.

The series was originally scheduled for a doubleheader on Saturday and a single game on Sunday, but Sunday's single game was moved to Friday due to weather.

Next, Brown concludes the three-game series with a doubleheader against Harvard tomorrow, Saturday, Mar. 30, beginning at 12:30 p.m. (ESPN+).