CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The Cornell softball team fell to the University of Illinois Chicago 6-5 on Sunday afternoon at the Frost Classic. The Big Red dropped to 2-3, while the Flames improved to 6-9.

Mila Fiordalisi and Madalyn Covelli split time on the mound against the Flames. Fiordalisi claimed five strikeouts and allowed zero runs through 4.1 innings. Covelli allowed four earned runs and struck out one batter through 4 innings of play, and was tabbed with the loss.

Cornell opened the scoring in the fifth inning. Morgan Drotter laid down a sacrifice bunt that resulted in a throwing error, allowing Susanna Pate to score from first. Olivia Green followed with another sacrifice bunt that led to a second throwing error, bringing Samantha Albert home and moving Tarisa Frans to third. Ella Harrod then grounded out to the pitcher, allowing Frans to score and give the Big Red a 3-0 lead.

UIC answered in the seventh inning. Cameran Rios singled to shortstop to bring Trinity Brandhorst home before Emily Brecht reached on a throwing error that allowed Rios to score. Ariana O'Connell followed with an RBI single to right center, tying the game at 3-3.

Cornell regained the lead in the eighth inning when Sofia Hernandez singled to right field to score Charlize Cai. UIC responded in the bottom half of the inning as Emilia Bartholomew scored on a wild pitch to even the game once again.

In the ninth inning, Frans singled up the middle to score Albert and give Cornell a 5-4 lead. UIC responded in the bottom of the ninth as Diamond Blomlie scored on a wild pitch to tie the game before Siena Stickney delivered a walk-off RBI single up the middle to lift UIC to the win.

Next Up
The Cornell softball team will return to the diamond next weekend for the Towson Invitational. The Big Red will meet Merrimack, Towson, and Morgan State during a five-game spread at Tiger Softball Stadium. The games are slated to begin on Friday, February 27th, and conclude on Sunday, March 1st.