Today's Matchup: Haviland vs. Sullivan

Harvard goes for its first win of the season today at the Metrodome when Crimson rookie Shawn Haviland opposes Red Storm sophomore Anthony Sullivan.

Haviland's performance is highly anticipated as Walsh seems to expecting big things out of him right away. But his counterpart on the mound today is also no slouch. Local product Sullivan put together quite the high school career a mere Shuyler Mann tape-measure shot away from O'Donnell Field. In his senior season at Arlington (MA) High in 2003, Sullivan once threw a one-hitter against the then-No. 1 team in the state, Peabody, which was 10-0 entering the game. The only player to muster a hit off Sullivan for Peabody in that game? Jeff Allison, a pitching prodigy who became a first-round draft pick of the Florida Marlins but has since seen his career curtailed by chronic drug troubles, as documented by Sports Illustrated this winter.

Allison and Sullivan headlined a pretty good class of pitchers to come out of the Greater Boston League in 2003. That group also included Tyler Thornton of Walpole, Mass. Harvard may see Thornton later this season--he pitches for Northeastern now.

One more interesting connection: Anothony Sullivan spent the summer of 04 in the NECBL with the Concord Quarry Dogs. His teammate in Concord? UConn sophomore Josh Farkes, who transferred to Storrs after playing for the University of Richmond last year. Maybe Zak can call his brother for a scouting report.