ITHACA, N.Y. -- The Cornell softball team split a midweek non-conference doubleheader with MAAC leader Siena on Thursday afternoon, topping the Saints 12-3 in six innings in game one before falling 6-4 in game two. The Big Red moved to 7-18 overall, while the Saints are 10-21 overall.
Game One
Bridgette Rooney slammed two home runs, including a walk-off blast in the sixth to help Cornell snap an eight-game skid with a 12-3 victory over Siena. The Big Red posted a season-high 18 hits, including six for extra bases. Rooney ended the afternoon 3-for-4 with five RBI and two runs scored.
Lisa Nelson earned her fourth win of the season in the circle with a complete game, striking out six and scattering five hits in her six innings of work. Two of Siena's runs came in the first inning on a two-out home run by Madysen Cossack.
The Big Red scored seven runs in the sixth to break the game open, taking advantage on a Siena error, a misplay on a sacrifice bunt attempt that went for a hit and a wild pitch, as well as five hits.
Megan Murray was 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored and five others had two hits apiece, including
Jessica Bigbie, who drove in two and scored twice. Sarah Murray,
Tori Togashi,
Olivia Lam and
Ivey Wagner also had two hits apiece.
Cossack was 3-for-3 with a double, a home run and two RBI to lead the Saints.
Game Two
Three unearned runs in the first inning was the difference, as a Big Red rally in the seventh fell just short in a 6-4 loss to Siena. Cornell scratched out just five hits in the second game against Maddie McMahon and Lauren Butts, though the home team loaded the bases with no one out in the seventh.
Trailing 6-1 entering its final at bat, Cornell plated three and left the tying run on second.
Madysen Cossack, who homered in the first game, also hit a long ball in the nightcap for the visitors. The game, which featured a number of defensive gems from both teams, including this gem from
Rebecca Kubena at second base.
Madeline Avery and
Tori Togashi both reached base twice on a hit and a walk, with Togashi slamming a double. Both also drove in a run, with Avery scoring twice.
Cornell issued just two walks in game two and three in the doubleheader, allowing just three earned runs in the second game. Katie Lew,
Maddie Orcutt and Cora Geunes scattered 10 hits and struck out seven, but the offense came too late to complete the doubleheader sweep.
The Big Red kicks off Ivy South Division play when it visits Columbia for a four-game set beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 15 at 12:30 p.m.
