Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
 
ITHACA, N.Y. — Sophomore Nick Busto tossed a complete game in the opener, then junior Chris Cruz was 4-for-4 with a double and a home run in the second game of a doubleheader sweep of Brown on Saturday afternoon, 6-1 and 4-1. Cornell (14-6) has now won 10 of its last 11 games.
 
The Big Red wasted no time jumping on top in Saturday's first game, taking advantage of a big first inning to spot Busto a 4-0 lead before he took the mound for the second time. Cornell was patient against Brown starter Heath Mayo, who had early control issues. A passed ball plated the first run, then JD Whetsel drove in the second by getting hit by a pitch. Ben Swinford hit an RBI infield single to make the score 3-0, and Kevin Tatum's sacrifice fly to center sent Spenser Souza home to cap the scoring.
 
That was more than enough support for Busto, who struck five and issued no walks while scattering six hits. Brown's biggest threat came when it hit back-to-back singles to kick off the third. Busto induced a groundball double play to get the first two outs, but the remaining baserunner scored on a two-out single by Cody Slaughter.
 
Cornell pushed across its final two insurance runs in the sixth. With runners on first and second and no outs, Tom D'Alessandro laid down a perfect bunt that was fielded by Brown's pitcher and thrown over the Bears' first baseman, allowing Ryan Plantier to score all the way from second. Matt Hall later singled up the middle to score Brenton Peters.
 
D'Alessandro was 2-for-2 with a double, a stolen base and a run scored in the first game.
 
Cornell then took an early one-run lead in the second inning of the second game. Cruz led off with a double to right-center, then aggressively moved up to third on a groundout to shortstop. Swinford then perfectly executed a safety squeeze play with a bunt up the first baseline, allowing Cruz to score from third.
 
Brown pulled even in the top of the fourth, but Cruz restored the Big Red's one-run lead with his first home run of the season – a blast over the wall in right field. It was just his third game of the season after setting a program record with 12 home runs in 2012.
 
Both starting pitchers settled in after the fourth, keeping the scoreboard quiet until the seventh. Swinford led off with a single through the left side, then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Whetsel. Tatum then smoked a double past the center fielder, driving in Swinford to make the score 3-1.
 
Cornell finally chased Brown starter Dave St. Lawrence in the eighth after D'Alessandro singled and reached second on a wild pitch with one out. With the defense on its heels, Cruz dropped down a textbook bunt toward first base, winning the race to the bag and pushing D'Alessandro to third. Plantier followed with a line drive that was flagged down in left field, but D'Alessandro was able to trot home to make the score 4-1.
 
Sophomore starter Brian McAfee worked seven strong innings to earn his second straight victory. He yielded just the one run on four hits, fanning three with just one walk before freshman Michael Byrne was nearly flawless in a six-out save. Byrne struck out four without surrendering any walks or hits for his second collegiate save.
 
The Big Red will continue Ivy League play with a noon doubleheader Sunday against Yale before wrapping up the eight-game home stand with a non-league twin bill at 2 p.m. Wednesday against Canisius.