With the addition of a tenacious trio of freshmen, the Harvard softball team has found three more reasons to be optimistic about its prospects in the upcoming Ivy League season.

The “Freshman Tripod,” as they have christened themselves, consists of pitchers Shelly Madick and Amanda Watkins, and first baseman-outfielder Danielle Kerper.

“I would consider them all impact freshmen,” Harvard coach Jenny Allard said.

While they expect to contribute to the squad in different ways, all three are noticeably sanguine about the team’s prospects and willing to take on any role necessary to win.

Perhaps their optimism may be traced to their home state—all three hail from sunny California. But Allard denied rumors that the Golden State receives preferential treatment.

“These were three of our top kids, and they all happened to be from Southern California,” she said.

HARVARD(-WESTLAKE) RULES

With an effective rise ball and deceptive changeup, Encino, Calif. native Shelly Madick is poised to become a key Crimson hurler in the coming years.

Her focus, however, is on the team’s success, part of which will rely on versatile pitching.

“This pitching staff as a whole is really effective,” Madick said. “We’re all really effective against different kinds of hitting—we have everything you really need and I think that’s what makes our staff so good.”

What makes her so good?

“I eat Lucky Charms before big games,” Madick said.

While her luck has not been infallible so far, she has had some strong outings and has kept opposing teams to a lower batting average than any other Harvard pitcher.

After excelling for three years at Harvard-Westlake High School, Madick relishes the chance to play at the collegiate level.

“In high school I felt like I was pushing everybody else,” she said. “Once you get to college ball, you’re a ballplayer.”