Rain, Lions Go Away

Finally.

Harvard took both games of the delayed Ivy opener today, beating Columbia 5-3 in the opener and 12-3 to sweep the doubleheader.

Freshman Shawn Haviland got the ball in the first game and delivered 5 2/3 strong innings. He got into trouble in the sixth, allowing a two-run homer, and righty Jay Brown loaded the bases. With the bases juiced and two out, on comes an interesting fireman: Steffan Wilson, who had batted in three runs already and had only one collegiate appearance under his belt to that point (more on this later). Wilson got the final out and went on to pitch the 7th for the save. Lance Salsgiver, leading off, went 2-for-4 with two steals. Matt Vance was moved to sixth in the order.

Game Two:

Six strong from Morgalis, three Javy Castellanos shutout innings (and a save), no errors and very little suspense after the Crimson put up a three-run first.

The lineup for today's games was interesting. Salsgiver, as I mentioned, continues to bounce around the lineup, leading off here even though Vance had batted first in just about every other game. Farkes DHd and batted second with Brendan Byrne playing second. Ian Wallace, as we suspected, seems to have played his way back into regularity, as he started both games in left.

Tomorrow, one can imagine that Hermann will start the 9-inning game. As for the early one, it's anyone's guess at this point. Jake Bruton is a possibility. So, for that matter, is Matt Brunnig, who hasn't started once this year but whom one might've expected to come in where Steffan Wilson did in the first game. We shall see.