Saturday, May 2
New York, N.Y.
12:30 PM
Columbia
vs
Harvard
Softball Wraps Up Regular Season, Hosts Harvard for Three
4/30/2026 12:00:00 PM | Softball
On Sunday, the Lions will honor their five seniors for Senior Day.
NEW YORK – The Columbia softball team returns home for the final time in 2026 when it hosts Harvard for a three-game Ivy League series this weekend. The Lions and Crimson will play a doubleheader Saturday and a single game Sunday. Sunday will be Senior Day at the Columbia Softball Stadium, the Lions will honor their five seniors in a pregame ceremony.
LIVE COVERAGE
All three games between the Lions (19-19, 11-7 Ivy) and the Crimson (19-20-1, 10-8 Ivy) will be streamed on ESPN+. Fans can also follow the action via live stats on Statbroadcast.com. Saturday's twin-billing begins at 12:35 p.m. Game two is scheduled to begin 30 minutes after the completion of game one. Sunday's opener begins at 12:35 p.m.
Game 1 – Live Stats | Watch (ESPN+)
Game 2 – Live Stats | Watch (ESPN+)
Game 3 – Live Stats | Watch (ESPN+)
GAMEDAY PROMOTION
Team IMPACT Awareness Day is scheduled for Saturday, May 2. The event will bring together student-athletes, matched children, and their families to celebrate the relationships formed through the program and to raise awareness for its continued growth.
Columbia University Athletics has welcomed more than 15 children through Team IMPACT matches, integrating them into varsity teams where they gain a sense of belonging, confidence, and support. Through this expanded partnership, the organizations will build on that momentum by increasing the number of matches and deepening engagement across campus in the years ahead. The goal is to match at least 80 percent of Columbia University's varsity sports teams with children through Team IMPACT.
SALUTE TO OUR SENIORS
On Sunday, the Lions will pay tribute to their five seniors in a special pregame ceremony. Playing their final home contest will be Georgia Corey, Charlotte Laidler, Savanna Messner, Eleni Katsivalis, and Sarah Mikami. This group has had a tremendous impact on the program, advancing to the postseason three times.
LAST TIME OUT
The Lions finished off the road series win with an emphatic 12-1 win over Penn at Penn Park. The Lions' offense scored six runs in the sixth inning to put the game away. Lawson once again went the distance, tossing six complete, scattering a run. Caylene Nguyen went 2-for-5 with a double and a triple and drove in four. Juju O'Brien crushed her fifth home run of the year.
IN THE CIRCLE
The Lions' pitching staff continues to excel. As a team, Columbia boasts an ERA of 3.77, which is second-best in the Ivy League and 85th best in the Nation. In 247.0 innings pitched, Columbia has allowed 133 earned runs with 107 walks to 171 strikeouts. As a team, the Lions are holding opponents to a .270 batting average. In the month of April, the Lions staff boasted an ERA of 2.91 - Mads Lawson went 8-0 with a 0.94 ERA in April.
AT THE DISH
The Lions continue to swing a hot bat. Against Penn, Columbia hit .287 as a team (25-for-87), but it's the way they are swinging the bat that's impressive. Of the Lions' 25 hits, 10 were for extra bases over the weekend, including five doubles, three triples, and two home runs. Against the Quakers, the Lions hit .302 with runners on base, .300 with runners in scoring position and .303 with 2-outs. For the year, Columbia is hitting .277, averaging 4.87 runs per game. Caylene Nguyen leads the team with a .351 average.
POSTSEASON BOUND
No matter the result from this weekend, the Columbia softball team is headed back to the postseason after clinching a spot in the Ivy League Tournament last weekend. It is the sixth time the Lions have advanced to the postseason - the fourth time under head coach Jennifer Teague. As of Thursday, the Lions are second in the Ivy League standings at 11-7. Harvard currently sits in third at 10-8 - no matter the outcome this weekend, the Lions and Crimson can't finish in first or fall out of the top-third spot. Meaning these two teams will face off in the opening round of the Ivy League Tournament.
20-20 VISION
With one more win this weekend, the Lions will win their 20th game of the season. It will be the sixth time (in 10 full seasons) the Lions have won 20 or more under Head Coach Jennifer Teague. After starting the year 0-10, the Lions have gone 19-9 (a .680 winning percentage). It marks the 14th time the Lions have won 20 games in a season. The program record for wins in a single year is 27, set in 2002.
BIG FLY
The Lions' power numbers are gaining momentum. Columbia has hit 36 home runs this season - 21 have come in the last 11 games. Columbia has hit two or more home runs in seven of their last 11 games. Columbia's 36 home runs are already the fourth most in a single season in Columbia history. The program record for home runs in a single season is 48, set by the 2018 squad. The 2017 and 2024 squads finished tied for second with 37 home runs. Under Jennifer Teague, the Lions have hit 30 or more home runs in six of her 10 full seasons. Before her arrival, the Lions had hit more than 20 only once - 28 in 2014.
SCOUTING HARVARD
Harvard enters this weekend with a 19-20-1 overall record and 10-8 in the Ivy League. Last weekend, they were swept on the road by Princeton. In road contests this year, they are 10-7 overall. As a team, the Crimson are hitting .306 and averaging 5.5 runs per game. Sophia Sun is leading Harvard at the plate, hitting .389 with 11 home runs and 45 RBI. In the circle, the Crimson boasts a staff ERA of 4.07; their opponents are hitting .290 against them. Three pitchers have made 20 or more appearances this year. Nicollete Hunter is 7-7 with a 2.85 ERA, while Riley Flynn is 9-4 with a 5.45 ERA.
THE SERIES
Saturday will be the 61st meeting all-time between the Lions and Crimson. Harvard holds a 45-15 advantage in the series dating back to April. 13, 2001, when the Lions defeated the Crimson 2-1. Last season, Harvard took the series in Cambridge after Columbia took the series opener. Columbia got the last laugh, upsetting Harvard 2-1 in the Ivy League Tournament on May 8, 2025, in Princeton.
ABOUT HARVARD
Schedule | Stats | Roster
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
Stay up to date on all things Columbia Softball by following the Lions on X (@CULionsSoftball), Instagram (@culionssoftball) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaSoftball).
LIVE COVERAGE
All three games between the Lions (19-19, 11-7 Ivy) and the Crimson (19-20-1, 10-8 Ivy) will be streamed on ESPN+. Fans can also follow the action via live stats on Statbroadcast.com. Saturday's twin-billing begins at 12:35 p.m. Game two is scheduled to begin 30 minutes after the completion of game one. Sunday's opener begins at 12:35 p.m.
Game 1 – Live Stats | Watch (ESPN+)
Game 2 – Live Stats | Watch (ESPN+)
Game 3 – Live Stats | Watch (ESPN+)
GAMEDAY PROMOTION
Team IMPACT Awareness Day is scheduled for Saturday, May 2. The event will bring together student-athletes, matched children, and their families to celebrate the relationships formed through the program and to raise awareness for its continued growth.
Columbia University Athletics has welcomed more than 15 children through Team IMPACT matches, integrating them into varsity teams where they gain a sense of belonging, confidence, and support. Through this expanded partnership, the organizations will build on that momentum by increasing the number of matches and deepening engagement across campus in the years ahead. The goal is to match at least 80 percent of Columbia University's varsity sports teams with children through Team IMPACT.
SALUTE TO OUR SENIORS
On Sunday, the Lions will pay tribute to their five seniors in a special pregame ceremony. Playing their final home contest will be Georgia Corey, Charlotte Laidler, Savanna Messner, Eleni Katsivalis, and Sarah Mikami. This group has had a tremendous impact on the program, advancing to the postseason three times.
LAST TIME OUT
The Lions finished off the road series win with an emphatic 12-1 win over Penn at Penn Park. The Lions' offense scored six runs in the sixth inning to put the game away. Lawson once again went the distance, tossing six complete, scattering a run. Caylene Nguyen went 2-for-5 with a double and a triple and drove in four. Juju O'Brien crushed her fifth home run of the year.
IN THE CIRCLE
The Lions' pitching staff continues to excel. As a team, Columbia boasts an ERA of 3.77, which is second-best in the Ivy League and 85th best in the Nation. In 247.0 innings pitched, Columbia has allowed 133 earned runs with 107 walks to 171 strikeouts. As a team, the Lions are holding opponents to a .270 batting average. In the month of April, the Lions staff boasted an ERA of 2.91 - Mads Lawson went 8-0 with a 0.94 ERA in April.
AT THE DISH
The Lions continue to swing a hot bat. Against Penn, Columbia hit .287 as a team (25-for-87), but it's the way they are swinging the bat that's impressive. Of the Lions' 25 hits, 10 were for extra bases over the weekend, including five doubles, three triples, and two home runs. Against the Quakers, the Lions hit .302 with runners on base, .300 with runners in scoring position and .303 with 2-outs. For the year, Columbia is hitting .277, averaging 4.87 runs per game. Caylene Nguyen leads the team with a .351 average.
POSTSEASON BOUND
No matter the result from this weekend, the Columbia softball team is headed back to the postseason after clinching a spot in the Ivy League Tournament last weekend. It is the sixth time the Lions have advanced to the postseason - the fourth time under head coach Jennifer Teague. As of Thursday, the Lions are second in the Ivy League standings at 11-7. Harvard currently sits in third at 10-8 - no matter the outcome this weekend, the Lions and Crimson can't finish in first or fall out of the top-third spot. Meaning these two teams will face off in the opening round of the Ivy League Tournament.
20-20 VISION
With one more win this weekend, the Lions will win their 20th game of the season. It will be the sixth time (in 10 full seasons) the Lions have won 20 or more under Head Coach Jennifer Teague. After starting the year 0-10, the Lions have gone 19-9 (a .680 winning percentage). It marks the 14th time the Lions have won 20 games in a season. The program record for wins in a single year is 27, set in 2002.
BIG FLY
The Lions' power numbers are gaining momentum. Columbia has hit 36 home runs this season - 21 have come in the last 11 games. Columbia has hit two or more home runs in seven of their last 11 games. Columbia's 36 home runs are already the fourth most in a single season in Columbia history. The program record for home runs in a single season is 48, set by the 2018 squad. The 2017 and 2024 squads finished tied for second with 37 home runs. Under Jennifer Teague, the Lions have hit 30 or more home runs in six of her 10 full seasons. Before her arrival, the Lions had hit more than 20 only once - 28 in 2014.
SCOUTING HARVARD
Harvard enters this weekend with a 19-20-1 overall record and 10-8 in the Ivy League. Last weekend, they were swept on the road by Princeton. In road contests this year, they are 10-7 overall. As a team, the Crimson are hitting .306 and averaging 5.5 runs per game. Sophia Sun is leading Harvard at the plate, hitting .389 with 11 home runs and 45 RBI. In the circle, the Crimson boasts a staff ERA of 4.07; their opponents are hitting .290 against them. Three pitchers have made 20 or more appearances this year. Nicollete Hunter is 7-7 with a 2.85 ERA, while Riley Flynn is 9-4 with a 5.45 ERA.
THE SERIES
Saturday will be the 61st meeting all-time between the Lions and Crimson. Harvard holds a 45-15 advantage in the series dating back to April. 13, 2001, when the Lions defeated the Crimson 2-1. Last season, Harvard took the series in Cambridge after Columbia took the series opener. Columbia got the last laugh, upsetting Harvard 2-1 in the Ivy League Tournament on May 8, 2025, in Princeton.
ABOUT HARVARD
Schedule | Stats | Roster
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
Stay up to date on all things Columbia Softball by following the Lions on X (@CULionsSoftball), Instagram (@culionssoftball) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaSoftball).
Players Mentioned
1B/3B
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P/1B
/ Softball
RHP/INF
/ Softball
UT
/ Softball
P/UT
/ Softball
P/UT
/ Softball
SS
/ SoftballHighlights: SOFT | Columbia 12 - Penn 1
Sunday, April 26
Highlights: SOFT | Columbia at Cornell Game 1
Friday, April 17
Highlights: SOFT | Columbia vs. UT Arlington (3.13.26)
Friday, March 13
Highlights: SOFT | Columbia vs. Brown
Friday, May 09
