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San Salvation! Walk-Off Homer Caps Harvard Comeback Win

Hendricks, who is swinging Harvard’s hottest bat, then grounded a double down the third base line to score Lopez.

Mann and senior third baseman Nick Carter followed with consecutive RBI singles to cut the lead to 11-7.

With men on first and second, Brown reliever Sam Jennings fell behind 3-0 to San Salvador before working the count full.

San Salvador then picked up his second hit of the season in dramatic fashion, sending the 3-2 pitch over the fence in right-center field to pull Harvard to 11-10.

“With all that was riding on it, that was the biggest comeback that I have ever been a part of,” Walsh said. “I was really proud of everybody.”

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The game was a low-scoring affair entering the fifth inning, when the Bears exploded for seven runs in the top half of the frame to take a 9-2 lead.

After a bunt single, a hit batsman and a sacrifice put runners on second and third with one out, Harvard starter Barry Wahlberg intentionally walked the Bears’ top hitter, Matt Kutler, in hopes of a double play.

Instead, Brown pitcher John Capello lined a two-RBI single into right field to give Brown a 4-2 lead.

Wahlberg was then relieved by senior Justin Nyweide, who struggled with his control as soon as he stepped on the mound.

Nyweide walked the first two Bears he faced before giving up a sacrifice fly to first baseman James Lowe and a three-run home run to catcher Greg Metzger.

Brown scored one more run in the sixth when second baseman Rob Deeb homered off of Crimson reliever Madhu Satyanarayana to raise the score to 10-2.

Harvard cut the lead to 10-4 in the bottom of the inning. Mann doubled off of the wall in right field and then scored on Carter’s second home run of the year.

Harvard will host Dartmouth in a doubleheader on Saturday before travelling to Hannover for a two-game set Sunday. A four game sweep of the Big Green will clinch the division title for the Crimson. If the teams end up tied, a one-game playoff will determine the Red Rolfe champion.

“We are going to have our work cut out for us next weekend,” Walsh said. “I’m sure Brown is thinking of taking four against Yale, and I don’t want to play them in a playoff. They are too good of a team.”

Brown next hosts the Bulldogs for one doubleheader and play the other in New Haven. Harvard will travel to UMass Thursday in its final non-league game.

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