ATHLETE of the WEEK

Even though the Harvard softball team was the bottom seed in last weekend's ECAC Tournament, the team knew it had a chance to win.

The reason? Freshman pitcher Tasha Cupp. Over the four-team, double-elimation tournament, Cupp was the team's workhorse, hurling 24 and one-third out of 30 possible innings over two days.

For the weekend, the yardling was 2-2, taking the decision in all of Harvard's games. But by no means was Cupp mediocre. She gave up only one earned run until the ninth inning of the last game, when her arm of steel could do no more, allowing six Providence batters to score to give the Lady Friars the ECAC Championship.

It was Cupp's first two games, however, that showcased her talents better. Starting one game and relieving in the next, she blew fastballs, riseballs, and a super-slow breaking ball past Providence and Rutgers, giving up only one hit.

On Sunday, Harvard only needed to win one to take the championship, but fielding and baserunning woes doomed the Crimson. Cupp started one and relieved in the fourth inning of the other and maintained her brilliance until the last game's extra innings.

However, she did more for the Crimson's chances than anyone else. Cupp didn't get the championship, but it wasn't for lack of effort.