ITHACA, N.Y. - The Cornell softball team dropped a pair of games on Sunday against Lehigh in it's home opener at Niemand-Robison Field. The Big Red fell to the Mountain Hawks in the first contest of the doubleheader 9-5. Cornell's rally attempt fell short in game two of the day, as Lehigh earned a 9-8 win over the Big Red.

Lauren Holt added four hits. three RBI, and a homer to Cornell's production in the Sunday doubleheader. Charlize Cai was useful in the one-hole, making four hits, a run, and an RBI. Sofia Hernandez also tacked on a home-run.

Mila Fiordalisi pitched 6.2 innings in game one, striking out five batters in the setback. Madalyn Covelli and Laney Freiband split time on the mound in game two. Covelli pitched 3.2 innings and claimed a strikeout in the loss. Freiband pitched 3.1 innings, also earning a strikeout in the game.

Game One
Lehigh struck first in the opening inning when Sydney Parlett doubled to bring home Kelly Fricker and give the Mountain Hawks an early 1-0 lead. The visitors added another run in the second inning on an RBI single from Fricker to extend the advantage. Cornell answered in the bottom half of the inning when Hailey Pirkey delivered a two-run double to left center that scored Emma Harshberger and Ella Harrod, tying the game at 2-2.

The Big Red took control in the fourth inning behind a big swing from Hernandez. She launched a three-run home run to center field that plated Pirkey and Harshberger, pushing Cornell ahead 5-2. The blast marked Cornell's biggest offensive moment of the afternoon and gave the Big Red momentum midway through the game.

Lehigh chipped away at the deficit in the fifth inning with two runs, including a fielder's choice RBI and a steal of home by Peyton Sward to make it a one-run game. The Mountain Hawks evened the score in the sixth inning when Abbey Tabaka connected on a solo home run to left field. Lehigh then erupted for four runs in the seventh inning, highlighted by a two-run double from Tabaka, to secure the 9-5 victory.

Game Two
Lehigh again struck early in the second game of the doubleheader. Lily Kern homered to right field in the opening inning to drive in two runs and give the Mountain Hawks a quick 2-0 advantage. Cornell responded in the bottom half of the inning when Holt delivered an RBI single to cut the deficit in half. 

The Big Red continued to battle throughout the early innings and evened the score at 2-2 in the second inning to keep pace with Lehigh. The Mountain Hawks regained control in the fourth inning with a five-run rally that pushed the visitors back in front 7-2. Cornell's pitching staff managed to limit further damage over the next two frames, keeping the game within reach heading into the late innings.

Cornell mounted a late push in the sixth inning, scoring four runs to trim the deficit to one and reignite the comeback effort. After Lehigh added a pair of late runs, the Big Red added two runs of their own in the seventh inning to bring the tying run to the plate, but the rally ultimately fell short. Lehigh held on for a 9-8 win to complete the doubleheader sweep.

Next Up
The Cornell softball will begin Ivy League competition when it travels to Yale for a three-game conference series. The Big Red and the Bulldogs will meet on Saturday, March 14th at 12:30 p.m. for a doubleheader at 5K Corral Field. Cornell and Yale will conclude the series on Sunday, March 15th at 12:30 p.m. at 5K Corral Field. Game action will be broadcast on ESPN+.