ITHACA, N.Y. - The Cornell softball team fell 7-1 to Columbia in the series opener on Friday afternoon at Niemand-Robison Field. The Big Red dropped to 17-19 on the season, while the Lions improved to 16-17.

In the circle. Madalyn Covelli struggled to find a groove early, holding down the mound for just 1.1 innings, and allowing two earned runs on three walks and five wild pitches. Emma Harshberger was able to stabilize the game following Covelli's early pitching struggles, but would lose control in the later innings as the Lions pulled away.

Game Recap
The Lions opened up the scoring in the first inning when Covelli lost control of the zone and commited three consecutive wild pitches, leading to Nguyen crossing the plate for the game's opening run. Columbia plated it's second run of the day in the top of the second inning, after the second sequence of consecutive wild pitches from Covelli to take a 2-0 lead.

In the top of the fifth inning, Mikami added insurance to Columbia's advantage with a home run to extend the lead to 3-0. Hernandez gave Cornell life when she responded in the bottom of the fifth with a sacrifice fly that brought Tarisa Frans across the plate.

Columbia ran way with the game in the final two innings, when Mason pushed the momentum further in the Lions' favor with an RBI triple, followed by a three-run homer from Hubble in the seventh to seal the victory for Columbia.

Next Up
The Cornell softball team will return to the diamond tomorrow for a doubleheader against Columbia. The Big Red and the Lions will meet at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. at Niemand-Robison Field. Game action will be broadcast on ESPN+.