NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Playing much better softball over the past several weeks, Cornell was finally rewarded for its gradual improvements by putting it all together for an Ivy League doubleheader sweep at Columbia on Saturday afternoon. The Big Red won game one 6-0, then took the nightcap 5-1. The wins improved Cornell to 11-20 (5-9 Ivy), while Columbia slipped to 13-23 (5-9 Ivy).

Game One
Freshman Maddie Orcutt, who has really come on in the second half of the season, scattered six hits and two walks while striking out five to pick up a complete game shutout in the opener. She held on in what looked like it would be a pitcher's dual, as the two teams were scoreless through three.

Emily Weinberg was 4-for-4 with a run scored at the plate, while Rebecca Kubena was 2-for-4. In all, the Big Red had 11 hits in the win.

Cornell broke through in the fourth after a leadoff single by Weinberg and a double by Meg Parker. Jessica Bigbie brought in the first run on a sacrifice fly and and the second scored on a run-scoring single by Kubena.

That was all the Big Red would need, but not all they'd get.

Cornell scored four insurance runs in the sixth, the big blow coming on a two-run double by Chloe Pendergast. Leanne Iannucci also drove in a run with a double.

Game Two
Columbia got on the board first in game two, but the Big Red rallied for thre runs in the fourth to regain the lead and two more the following inning to secure the victory.

Pendergast was 3-for-4 with an RBI and Parker helped her cause in the circle with a 2-for-4 afternoon wit ha double and two runs scored. Like Orcutt in the first game, she was in control in picking up the win. She pitched 4.1 innings, allowing five hits and one run before giving way to Orcutt, who pitched a hitless final 2.2 innings.

After the Lions scored on a single, a bunt and a double in the first, the Big Red finally responded in the fourth to take the lead for good. Pendergast and Iannucci each had RBI singles and Sophie Giaquinto plated a runner on a bases-loaded walk.

The Big Red pieced together two more in the fifth to give Parker, then Orcutt, some breathing room.

The Big Red and the Lions will close out their four-game series tomorrow beginning at 12:30 p.m.