ITHACA, N.Y. - The Cornell softball team swept the Binghamton Bearcats in a doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon at Niemand-Robison Field. The Big Red used a strong middle innings surge to defeat Binghamton, 10-6, in the opening game. Cornell erupted for nine runs in the first inning and held off a late push to defeat Binghamton in game two, 17-14, and complete the doubleheader sweep.
Lauren Holt led Cornell across the doubleheader with a dominant performance, going a combined 6-for-9 with a home run, three doubles, and four RBIs, while also scoring three times. She was complemented by
Charlize Cai, who delivered a grand slam and finished with six RBIs in the first game, helping power a lineup that totaled 27 runs on 27 hits across the two games.
Cornell's pitching staff worked through a high-scoring day but delivered in key moments.
Mila Fiordalisi earned the win in game one with a complete-game effort, allowing six runs on eight hits, while also closing game two to secure the save.
Emma Harshberger picked up the win in the second game, allowing just two earned runs over 4.1 innings before
Madalyn Covelli bridged to Fiordalisi, as the staff combined to limit damage late and preserve both victories.
Game One
The Big Red struck first in the opening inning when Harshberger singled to center field to bring home
Tarisa Frans for a 1-0 lead. Binghamton answered in the second inning with a two-run home run from Kopec to take a 2-1 advantage, but Cornell responded immediately in the bottom half.
Cornell broke the game open in the second inning with a four-run frame to take control.
Samantha Esparza tied the game with an RBI bunt single, and a sacrifice fly from Cai gave the Big Red a 3-2 lead. Holt added an RBI double to extend the lead to 4-2, and Harshberger reached on an error that allowed another run to score, making it 5-2.
Binghamton battled back in the fourth inning, scoring three runs to tie the game at 5-5 on an RBI single, a bases-loaded walk, and a sacrifice fly. Cornell responded in the fifth inning with the game's biggest swing, as Cai launched a grand slam to give the Big Red a 9-5 lead.
The Bearcats added a solo home run in the sixth inning to cut the deficit to 9-6, but Cornell answered in the bottom half with a sacrifice fly from
Sofia Hernandez to push the lead to 10-6. Cornell held Binghamton scoreless the rest of the way to secure the four-run victory.
Game Two
The Bearcats struck first on a solo home run from Carey to take a 1-0 lead, but the Big Red answered immediately with a dominant inning. RBI singles from Harshberger and Hernandez gave Cornell a 2-1 lead before
Maddie Ullensvang doubled to drive in two runs and extend the advantage to 4-1.
Cornell continued to pour it on in the first inning, adding five more runs to take a 9-1 lead.
Morgan Drotter delivered an RBI bunt single, and a sacrifice fly from Cai pushed the lead to 6-1. Frans followed with an RBI single, and Holt capped the inning with a two-run double to give the Big Red a commanding eight-run advantage.
Binghamton stormed back in the fourth inning with a nine-run frame to take a 10-9 lead, highlighted by multiple RBI hits and a three-run home run from Carey. Cornell responded in the bottom half as a sacrifice fly from Hernandez cut the deficit to 11-10 before
Ella Harrod doubled to drive in two runs and give the Big Red a 12-11 lead.
The Bearcats continued the back-and-forth battle, scoring three runs in the sixth inning to take a 14-12 lead. Cornell answered with a five-run inning in the bottom half to reclaim control of the game. Holt homered to cut the deficit to 14-13, Harrod delivered another RBI double to tie the game at 14-14, and Drotter followed with a go-ahead RBI groundout. Cai drew a bases-loaded walk to extend the lead to 16-14, and Frans added an RBI single to make it 17-14, sealing the win for the Big Red.
Next Up
The Cornell softball team will close out the regular season this weekend with an Ivy League series against Brown at Niemand-Robison Field. The Big Red and the Bears will meet on Saturday April, 25th at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. for a doubleheader. Cornell and Brown will conclude the series on Sunday, April 26th at 12:30 p.m. at Niemand-Robison Field. Game action will be broadcast on ESPN+.
