PRINCETON, N.J. — Princeton combined for 25 runs on 28 hits to cruise past the Cornell baseball team in the first two Ivy League contests of the 2026 season, defeating the Big Red 13-7 and 12-0 at Clarke Field on Saturday afternoon.

GAME ONE RECAP
Princeton scored the opening 13 runs across the first five innings to build a commanding lead before Cornell mounted a late rally, plating seven unanswered runs across the final four innings as the Tigers took the Ivy League opener 13-7.

After getting on the board with an RBI single by Tommy Googins in the second inning, Princeton pulled away with a five-run third and a seven-run fifth.

Cornell refused to go quietly. Senior first baseman TJ Swidorski launched a three-run home run in the sixth, and freshman left fielder Tyler Beaulieu ignited a four-run ninth with his first collegiate home run, a two-run blast to left field. Junior shortstop Kevin Hager started a two-out rally with an RBI infield single, and junior third baseman Luke Johnson drew a bases-loaded walk to cut Princeton's lead to 13-7.

Senior right-handed pitcher Carson Mayfield exited early due to an apparent injury, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits over 2 1/3 innings, with two walks and four strikeouts. Junior left-hander Andrew Houghton, senior right-hander Josh Shea and senior left-hander Noah Keller combined for 2 2/3 innings of relief, surrendering nine runs on eight hits. Junior right-hander Ethan Van Sice was a bright spot out of the bullpen, tossing three scoreless innings and allowing just two hits while striking out four.

On the mound for Princeton, starter Justin Kim — the reigning Ivy League Pitcher of the Week — was dominant over five shutout innings, allowing just two hits, walking three and tying his single-game high with eight strikeouts. Will Sword pitched the remaining four innings, fanning six Big Red batters.

GAME TWO RECAP
Princeton capitalized on 13 base hits and four Cornell errors to post a 12-0 shutout in the nightcap and complete the doubleheader sweep.

The Tigers jumped out to a 5-0 lead through two innings. Grant Werdesheim opened the game with a leadoff triple and scored on a sacrifice fly, and Jake Koonin added a solo home run. In the second, the first four Princeton batters reached base before Werdesheim was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. A fielder's choice kept the bases full, and Tomas Cernius followed with an RBI single to make it 5-0.

Princeton added a run in the fourth on an RBI triple by Bennett Crerar, then pulled further ahead with three consecutive two-run innings between the sixth and eighth frames.

Cernius paced the Tigers' 13-hit attack, going 3-for-5 with two RBI. Crerar drove in a team-high three runs.

Cornell managed just three hits in the game. Freshman first baseman Aiden Barclay recorded two of them, while junior second baseman Owen Carlson had the other.

Princeton starter James Beasley matched Kim's strong showing from the opener, tossing five scoreless innings while walking three and striking out four. Elliot Eaton earned the save with four no-hit innings, striking out two.

Junior left-hander Huxley Holcombe started for Cornell, allowing five runs on four hits over three innings while issuing four walks and striking out two.

GAME NOTES
• Princeton increased its lead in the all-time series over Cornell to 165-103-2 and has won the last four meetings against the Big Red.

• Mayfield's four strikeouts pushed his career total to 139, moving him past Brian Williamson (137, 1996-99) and into a tie with Tim Willittes (139, 2014-18) for 18th place on Cornell's all-time strikeouts list.

MOST CAREER STRIKEOUTS BY A PITCHER
Cornell Program History – Since 1947
1. Greg Myers (1979-82) – 217
2. Steve Hamrick (1973-74) – 203
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T15. 144, Edward Winnick (1949-51)
T15. 144, Nick Bayer (1997-00)
17. 140, Blake Hamilton (2004-07)
T18. 139, Tim Willittes (2014-18)
T18. 139, Carson Mayfield (2023-Pres.)
20. 137, Brian Williamson (1996-99)

• Barela saw his career-long nine-game hitting streak come to an end after going 0-for-3 in the opener.

• Hager extended his hitting streak to a career-high seven games with a 3-for-5 performance in Game One, though the streak was snapped in the nightcap.

• Swidorski and Beaulieu's home runs in Game One gave Cornell its first multi-home run game of the season.

UP NEXT
Cornell looks to avoid a series sweep on Sunday in the finale against Princeton, with first pitch scheduled for noon. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.

Senior right-hander Ethan Hamill (0-1, 4.20 ERA) is set to take the ball for the Big Red, opposing Princeton's Liam Kinneen (0-1, 8.47 ERA).