After an encouraging opening to the Ivy League season at home, the Harvard softball team really earned its stripes on the road this weekend, turning in its second straight 3-1 showing. Earning a tough split with a powerful Princeton team (28-13, 8-2 Ivy) and going on to sweep Penn (13-20, 3-7) yesterday, the Crimson (13-15, 6-2) maintained its position near the top of the Ivy standings and remained tied with the Tigers in the all-important loss column.

Harvard relied on its pitching to carry it through the pair of double-headers—most notably in the mind-boggling opening game versus Princeton on Saturday—and the bats came alive against the Quakers, bringing a squad plagued by uncertainties and injuries to within two weeks of a possible Ancient Eight title.

HARVARD 7, PENN 4

Sophomore Susie Winkeller—only a recent addition to the starting lineup—was the offensive hero in the nightcap, going 2-for-4 with four RBI and propelling the Crimson to an easy 7-4 win at Warren Field in Philadelphia.

Harvard loaded the bases with two outs in the first inning on a pair of singles by co-captain Lauren Bettinelli and freshman Danielle Kerper, plus a hit-by-pitch courtesy of Penn starter Lindsey Permar. Winkeller then roped a double to left field, clearing the bases and giving Harvard a quick 3-0 lead.

The Crimson tacked on three more runs in the third. Facing reliever Olivia Mauro, Harvard commenced the frame with three straight hits—a double from senior Beth Sabin, a single from catcher Annie Dell’Aria, and another RBI double by Winkeller.

Senior Cecily Gordon piled on for the Crimson with a two-run, two-bagger to center off new Quakers hurler Ann Ferracane.

With the game comfortably in hand, Penn began to scratch back against freshman Amanda Watkins in the bottom half. The Quakers picked up a single tally in the third and the fourth, and a pair in the sixth that chased Watkins from the circle.

Junior Michele McAteer earned the save in relief of Watkins, who went 5 1/3 innings, allowing five hits and four runs.

HARVARD 5, PENN 1

Freshman Shelly Madick dazzled on the hill yet again in the opener yesterday, twirling a complete-game three-hitter for her second win of the weekend.

The performance advanced her record to 7-3 on the year and lowered her ERA to an even 2.00.

Madick was forced to pitch her way out of trouble in the opening frame, as she walked the bases loaded with one out. Madick responded with two strikeouts to end the threat, and continued to keep the Quakers at bay for the better part of her seven stellar innings.

Madick got all the cushion she needed in the top of the fourth, when shortstop Lauren Brown ended a two-out rally with a three-run homer to centerfield that pushed the Crimson lead to 4-0.

Although Penn got on the board with a run on two of its three hits in the bottom half, Madick slammed the door from there, retiring 10 of 11 batters to close out the game.