Nine Stops Springfield Rally; Faces Tufts Today in GBL Clash

Pete Varney's two-run homer gave Harvard a three-run fifth inning lead, but it took a good relies job by J.C. Nickens and a clutch throw by Dave Ignacio to stave off a Springfield rally in the ninth and preserve an 8-7 Crimson victory yesterday at Soldiers' Field.

The win kept Harvard's Greater Boston League record unblemished at 4-0 and upped its season record to 19-3. The Crimson faces Tuffs today at home, hoping to avenge last-year's 9-5 less which gave the Jumbos the Greater Boston title.

With the score 8-6 in the ninth, two Springfield singles and Charley Ragno's double scored one run, putting the tying run on second. Nickens came in to relieve John Todd and struck out two, but Tony Herdemien singled to center. Dave Ignacio saved the win by fielding the ball and throwing a strike to the plate to nip the lumbering Ragno.

The Chieftains started the nation' leading strike-our artist. Willy Boynton, and the right-hander asserted himself by striking out nine Crimson batters in the first four innings. Mean-while. Springfield's lethargic batting attack came to life and the Chieftain's led 3-2 into the fifth inning.

Phil Collins led off the Harvard fifth with a walk. Vince McGugan doubled him home. After Ignaclo's ground-out, Dan DeMichele laced a double to center to score McGugan. Boynton bore down on Varney with his fastball, and he responded by sending one into the ether regions to give Harvard a 6-3 lead.

The cold weather and swirling winds made both viewing and playing uncomfortable. DeMichele, after seeing Ignacio's throw, raced off the field immediately and jumped into the warmth of his car and his girlfriend.