ITHACA, N.Y. -- Cornell and Columbia combined for 22 runs and 27 hits on Sunday at Neimand-Robison Field as the Lions secured a series win, beating the Big Red 12-10 to finish the weekend. 

The Big Red fell to 4-16 (2-4 Ivy), while the Lions improved to 9-15 (4-2 Ivy). Sarah Mikami (4-5) earned the win in the circle. 

The Big Red jumped out to an early lead, scoring six runs in the bottom of the first inning. Freshman Maddie Ullenvang brought home one with a sacrifice fly, while sophomore Sydney Stapf and senior Lilly Travieso each plated one with singles. Freshman Hailey Pirkey doubled to make it 6-0. Sophomores Kate Callaway (bases-loaded walk) and Lauren Holt (passed ball) scored the other two runs in that inning. 

The Lions scored four runs and chased Cornell starting pitcher Maddie Covelli from the game in the second inning. Holt got one back for the Big Red in the bottom half, belting her Ivy-League-leading sixth home run of the season to left field to give Cornell a 7-4 lead. 

Columbia's Maddy Rifenberick cut Cornell's lead to 7-6 with a two-run blast to left in the third inning. Once again, Cornell got one back in the bottom half. Pirkey, who's been swinging a hot bat for the Big Red of late, put the Big Red ahead 8-6 with her second homer of the season. 

Columbia tied the game in the fourth and took the lead in the fifth on Savannah Messner's home run to left. Maddie Souza made it 10-8 with an RBI single, and Rifenberick drew a bases-loaded walk to put the Lions up by three runs. Eleni plated the final Columbia run on a sacrifice fly in the sixth. 

Freshman pitcher Laney Freiband kept Cornell in the game, allowing just one run on one hit in 2.2 innings. 

In the bottom of the sixth, Cornell cut its deficit in half on Ella Harrod's double and Holt's sacrifice fly. The Big Red had the bases loaded with one out, but Columbia relief pitcher Charlotte Laidler wiggled out of the jam. 

Up Next

Cornell has a doubleheader against Mount St. Mary's (Md.) on Tuesday, April 2, at 2 p.m.