Harvard splits with Brown

Harvard lost the first game, 6-5 in 8 innings (this was the seven-inning game) before blowing out the Bears in the second game, 16-4. Our Ivy League source tells us that there had been some talk of shortening the second game due to the first game's length and darkness concerns. That apparently didn't come to pass, but didn't make much of a difference.

Brown got to Frank Herrmann better than any other team this year, including a two-run homer by Devin Thomas that tied it in the extra frame. Matt Brunnig hit the only batter he faced, and the inning only got messier:

Wilson to
p. Vance to ss. Mackey to cf for Meehan. / for Brunnig. Nichols reached on a
fielder's choice; Lowe advanced to second. Nyadjroh grounded out to 1b unassisted,
SAC, bunt; Nichols advanced to second; Lowe advanced to third. Tews intentionally
walked. Christian reached on a fielder's choice, RBI; Tews out at second ss to 2b;
Nichols advanced to third; Lowe scored. 3 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 LOB.

I sense that onlookers would probably describe whatever happened there more colorfully than a "fielder's choice." A tough go for Steffan Wilson, who hadn't given up a hit. Josh Klimkiewicz homered twice in this game and, peculiarly, Zak Farkes' unpredictable season continued as Joe Walsh started him at second and batted him leadoff (he did get on base four times and score twice, and Vance went 1-for-5 in the 6-spot, but weird). Also of note: Brendan Byrne got squeezed out in all of this. He'd been hitting the ball very well for the Crimson this season. Would've perhaps been a strong DH candidate (and indeed, was put there in Game Two). He wound up coming in for Brown at short later on...

Byrne batted second in Game Two and went 3-for-5 with a 3-run homer in the 5th.

Game Three is tomorrow at noon. I assume we're looking at Castellanos there and Haviland in Game Four, but who really knows anymore?