NEW HAVEN, Conn. - The Cornell softball team opened Ivy League play on Saturday afternoon with a 14-4 loss to Yale in the first game of a doubleheader at 5K Corral Field. The Big Red responded in the second game of Saturday's Ivy League doubleheader, defeating Yale 13-9 in a high-scoring contest at 5K Corral Field.

Emma Harshberger had a strong outing, producing five RBI on three hits during three at-bats to go along with three runs scored. Mila Fiordalisi was tabbed with the loss in the doubleheader opener after striking out one batter in one inning played. Madelyn Covelli pitched 4.2 innings in game two of the day, striking out three batters in the victory.

Game One
Cornell struck first in the opening inning when Lauren Holt launched a solo home run to center field, giving the Big Red a 1–0 lead early in the first game of Saturday's Ivy League doubleheader. Yale responded quickly in the bottom of the inning as Grace Westmoreland doubled up the middle to drive in two runs, turning Cornell's early advantage into a 2–1 Yale lead after the first frame. The Bulldogs carried that momentum into the second inning and began to build separation at the plate.

Yale erupted for a huge second inning, stringing together multiple hits to extend its lead to double digits. Ella Gandolfo started the rally with a two-run single to make it 4–1 before Ava Kainrath added an RBI single to stretch the margin to 5–1. Westmoreland followed with another RBI hit to push the score to 6–1, and Jane Littleton delivered a two-run single that extended the Bulldogs' lead to 8–1. The offensive surge continued as Isabella Fortini, Gandolfo, Elena Ohe, Kainrath and Westmoreland all added RBI hits during the inning, allowing Yale to explode for 11 runs and take a commanding 13–1 lead.

Cornell showed signs of life in the fourth inning, cutting into the deficit with a key extra-base hit. Emma Harshberger tripled and later scored on a Yale error during the same play, while Lauren Holt and Ella Harrod also crossed the plate to trim the margin to 13–4. The Big Red momentarily slowed Yale's momentum and continued to battle despite the large deficit.

The Bulldogs answered right back in the bottom half of the fourth inning to restore the double-digit lead. Libby Peoples singled to shortstop to drive in a run and extend the score to 14–4. With Yale holding a 10-run advantage after five innings, the game concluded early due to the run rule.

Game Two
Cornell opened the scoring in the second game of the doubleheader when Lauren Holt launched another solo home run to center field in the first inning, giving the Big Red a 1–0 lead. Yale answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning as Grace Westmoreland reached on a fielder's choice that allowed a run to score and tie the game at 1–1. After the early exchange, Cornell began to build momentum offensively in the middle innings.

The Big Red broke the game open in the third inning with the help of aggressive baserunning and Yale miscues. Charlize Cai scored on an error in right field to give Cornell a 2–1 lead before another Bulldog error allowed both Ella Harrod and Holt to score, pushing the advantage to 4–1. Tarisa Frans then stole second, advanced to third on a throwing error and scored to extend the lead to 5–1. Cornell continued to apply pressure throughout the inning, capitalizing on defensive mistakes to seize control of the game.

Cornell added to its advantage in the fourth inning with another multi-run frame. Emma Harshberger singled to bring home Cai and make it 6–1 before Harrod followed with a single that turned into extra bases on a Yale error, allowing both Harshberger and Holt to score and stretch the lead to 8–1. Frans later singled up the middle to drive in Harrod and extend the margin to 9–1, giving the Big Red a comfortable cushion heading into the later innings.

The Big Red offense continued its surge in the fifth inning. Harshberger doubled to center field to score Cai and Olivia Green, pushing the lead to 11–1. During the same sequence, Harshberger stole third while Holt stole home to extend Cornell's advantage to 12–1, and Frans later lifted a sacrifice fly that brought Harshberger home and made it 13–1.

Yale mounted a comeback attempt in the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring five runs to trim the deficit. Ava Kainrath grounded out to drive in a run before Westmoreland added an RBI single to make it 13–3. Libby Peoples followed with a two-run triple to center field that cut the margin to 13–5, and Demi Donahoe added an RBI triple to narrow the score to 13–6.

The Bulldogs continued their rally in the sixth inning when Kainrath homered to center field with a runner aboard, pulling Yale within 13–8. Yale added another run in the seventh when Donahoe singled to bring home Peoples and cut the deficit to 13–9 before being thrown out attempting to advance. Cornell held the Bulldogs scoreless the rest of the inning to secure the 13–9 victory and earn a split of the doubleheader.

Next Up
The Cornell softball team will return to the diamond tomorrow to complete the Ivy League series against Yale. The Big Red and the Bulldogs are scheduled to begin the series finale at 12:30 p.m. at 5K Corral Field. Game action will be broadcast on ESPN+.