CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The Columbia baseball team and Harvard traded come-from-behind wins as the top two teams in the Ivy League split a doubleheader Saturday afternoon. The Lions scored four runs in the eighth to erase a three-run deficit and took the opener 11-9. In the nightcap, the Crimson posted a three-run fifth to erase a 3-1 deficit and hung on for a 6-4 win.

Columbia (17-18) remains one game in front of Harvard (22-11) at 12-5 in the Ivy League standings with four games to play. The Lions can clinch a berth in the Ivy League Playoff series with a win tomorrow and Penn loss at Cornell.

Sunday's rubber match is slated for a 11 a.m., which is an hour earlier than the originally scheduled start time. Tomorrow's game will be broadcast live on ESPN+. For further updates, be sure to check GoColumbiaLions.com or follow Columbia baseball on Twitter @CULionsBaseball.

GAME ONE

The teams each posted two runs in the first inning. With runners on first and second, Chandler Bengtson singled off the wall in right to plate Julian Bury and an error brought in Liam McGill from third base. In the bottom of the frame, the first two batters drew walks and Jake Suddleson found a hole for a base-hit with Jack Chernow covering second to cut the deficit in half and placing runners on the corners. Chad Minato followed with a ground ball that shortstop Joe Engel had to range for and the only play was a force to second as the tying run came home.

However, Columbia struck four more times in the second using RBI singles from Joe Engel and Liam McGill to take a 4-2 lead and a pair of bases loaded walks to cap the frame.

Two miscues opened the door for the Crimson to get back in it in the fourth. A walk and sacrifice started the frame and Skinner lofted a high fly ball that got caught in the wind and dropped in fair in rightfield behind the glove of Julian Bury, who overran the ball. An error allowed the third run to score and the heart of the order came through for Harvard with Patrick McColl singling and Suddleson posting a two-run double to lock things up at 6-6.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Crimson went ahead for the first time thanks to a Hunter Bigge double to the warning track in center. With two away, Trent Bryan launched his first home run of the season to extend the margin to three.

Columbia wasted no time in the top of the eighth, working back-to-back walks to start things off. After a sacrifice bunt, Bengtson went with a 1-1 pitch into right-center to cut the deficit to 9-8. A wild pitch broke up the force play and Nicoloff found room through the left side for a two-run double to put the Lions back in front.

Dan Harrington came on to work a 1-2-3 eighth and Bury tacked on an insurance run in the ninth when he singled off the glove of a diving Bryan in leftfield. The hit plated AJ DiFillipo, who notched a two-out double. Harrington picked up his third save of the year after inducing a game-ending double play in the bottom of the ninth.

Jordan Chriss (1-2) was charged with the win, despite giving up three runs in the seventh. Bury and McGill each posted three hits.

For Harvard, Kieran Shaw surrendered the four runs in the eighth and dropped to 0-3. Suddleson was 3-for-5 and Bigge, who started the game on the mound and stayed in as the designated hitter also had three hits.

GAME TWO

The Crimson went ahead 1-0 on an RBI single from Chad Minato in the bottom of the first, but Columbia posted three unanswered to grab a 3-1 lead through three and a half. Bury's double set up an Engel RBI single and with the bases loaded, Nicoloff registered another key hit to put the Lions on top. The Lions added an insurance run with an AJ DiFillipo sacrifice fly.

In the bottom of the fifth, Harvard did all of its damage with two outs. The Crimson strung together five consecutive base hits to go back in front, 4-3.

Columbia continued to threaten, but Harvard turned a pair of key double plays and added to the lead with two more runs in the seventh. A leadoff walk and base knock brought up Buddy Mrowka, who snuck a ball just fair down the first-base line to plate two runs.

The Lions had one last chance in the ninth when a hit batter and two walks loaded the bases with one out. Pinch-hitter Matt Cerfolio reached on a fielder's choice to draw Columbia within 6-4, but Harrison Stovern recorded a strikeout to end the ballgame.

Starting pitcher Ethan Abrams (2-2) lasted 4.2 innings, giving up four runs on four hits with three strikeouts. Engel was 3-for-4 to lead the offense.