ITHACA, N.Y. -- The Cornell softball team dropped a conference-opening doubleheader to Yale on Saturday afternoon at Niemand-Robison Field, with the Bulldogs outlasting the Big Red 5-4 in 11 innings in game one before taking a 7-1 triumph in the nightcap. Cornell fell to 5-8 (0-2 Ivy), while Yale moved its record to 7-17 (2-0 Ivy).

Game One
After five scoreless innings, including three in extras, Yale broke through with a squeeze bunt by Allison Skinner that allowed the Bulldogs to rally for the 5-4 win. The Big Red had the tying run at third with two outs, but could not extend the game.

Megan Murray was 3-for-6 and Tori Togashi was 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored, but Yale collected 15 hits and overcame 16 runners left on base. Madison Sack was 2-for-6 with three RBI for Yale and both Annie Tarte and Laina Do had three hits apiece.

The story in game one, however, was the pitching staffs. Yale's Lindsay Efflandt went the final 7.2 innings, surrendering two hits, no runs and striking out eight. Big Red freshman Katie Lew scattered eight hits over the final 6.1 innings of work, taking the hard-luck loss.

Game Two
Yale used a six-run sixth inning, headlined by a grand slam by game one hero Skinner, to blow open a pitcher's dual. Carlin Hagmaier's solo shot in the fourth was the only run through five innings and Francesca Casalino made that lead stand up. She hurled a complete game six-hitter, striking out six and allowing just a single run in the seventh with the home team already trailing 7-0.

Madeline Avery's seventh-inning home run was Cornell's lone scoring in the nightcap, with Rebecca Kubena posting two of the team's six hits in the contest. Maddie Orcutt went the distance for Cornell, allowing seven hits and striking out seven.

The Big Red welcomes Brown to Ithaca on Sunday, April 2 at 12:30 p.m.