When the Harvard softball team headed to Georgia for the 25-team Buzz Classic over spring break, nobody expected the Crimson to be competing for the title. Harvard was outscored 22-7 in four losses at the tournament last season.

But after five straight victories in the last two days of competition--beginning with a win over No. 23 Wisconsin--Harvard earned second place in the 25-team field that included five NCAA qualifiers from last season and marquee teams from the Pac 10, Big 10 and the ACC.

"It was amazing--our hitting was unbelievable," said sophomore tri-captain Grace Bloodwell. "We had a lot of luck, and all our plays worked. And it seemed like whenever we needed it, the meat of the order would come up to hit, but anyone at that time was the meat of the order."

Harvard hit nine home runs during the tournament. Junior outfielder Sarah Koppel sent four out of the park and sophomore outfielder/pitcher Tiffany Whitton hit three.

"We dominated those pitchers," Bloodwell said. "If we can continue to do that, we can take anyone in the Ivies."

Senior Chelsea Thoke earned three complete-game wins over the weekend. The pitching depth provided by Thoke, Whitton, and freshman Kara Brotemarkle made the second-place finish possible.

After the unprecedented run in the Buzz Classic, the Crimson could not avoid a letdown. Harvard (7-13) went 1-5 in three doubleheaders through the rest of spring break.

"We should have swept all the teams we played after the tournament," Bloodwell said. "It's hard to avoid playing down to the level of whoever your playing."