ITHACA, N.Y. -- The Cornell softball team will step back into Ivy League play when it meets Brown for a three-game series beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 7 at 12:30 p.m. at Brown Softball Field. The series, originally scheduled to be played at Niemand*Robison Field, will conclude on Sunday, April 8 at 12:30 p.m.

The Big Red is 8-14 on the season, but 3-3 through two weekends in Ivy League play. Erin Rockstroh, who ranks among the top 10 nationally with her .469 batting average, is even better in conference play at .563 (9-of-16). Classmate Bridgette Rooney is also hot, with three home runs and five RBI in her last three games, and has lifted her average up to .290. She's knocking on the door to join five teammates batting over .300, including Megan Murray (.389) and Rebecca Kubena (.386).

Cornell's improvement can be seen largely in its improved pitching staff that has significantly cut down its walks and lowered its ERA by a run per game. Sophomore Lisa Nelson is 5-4 overall with a 2.88 ERA and has seven complete games in 10 starts. She has struck out 54 in 58.1 innings of work and is allowing opponents to bat just .278 against her. Katie Lew is 3-8 with a 4.74 ERA and has registered seven complete games in nine starts.

The Bears sport an identical 8-14 record and are 2-4 in Ivy play, a game behind Cornell for fourth place in the standings. Brown and head coach Katie Flynn snapped a four-game skid when it shut out Penn 4-0 last Sunday at home to salvage a win in the series. Brown is hitting .292 as a team, with Meghan Wimmer leading the way at .455 with a team-high five home runs and 16 RBI. Cat Seitz (.356, 10 RBI) and Anya Schmitz (.343) are also hitting better than .300. Emily Waters leads four pitchers who have seen significant time in the circle by posting a 2-5 record with a save and a 3.59 ERA in 52.2 innings of work. The defense has fielded at a .964 clip behind its pitchers.

Cornell leads the all-time series 32-19, including a 15-11 mark in Providence. The Big Red snapped a four-game losing streak against Brown in game two of last year's doubleheader with a 4-3 win.