GRINNELL – On the short end of many close games this season, Cornell's baseball team had another one get away in Saturday's season-ending doubleheader against Grinnell at Pioneer Park.
The Rams surrendered two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning in a tough 7-6 Game 1 loss. Grinnell carried momentum into the second game, winning 7-2.
Cornell wrapped up the spring at 14-24 overall and took fourth in the Midwest Conference South Division with an 11-13 mark. Nine of Cornell's losses this season were decided by two runs or less.
Leadoff hitter Caleb Sass (SR/Iowa City, Iowa) capped a fine senior season, going 3-for-5 with a homer in his final collegiate game. He finished with 16 doubles on the year – second-most ever by a Ram – and scored 45 runs, which ranks third on the program's single-season list.
Senior right-hander Cameron Anfang (SR/Sullivan, Wis.) fired seven strong innings in the opener, leaving with a 5-2 lead. The Pioneers rallied for three runs in the bottom of the eighth to tie it at 5-5.
Cornell regained the lead at 6-5 on a two-out single by Peyton Berthel (SR/Davenport, Iowa) that plated Nathan White (SR/Union Grove, Wis.) in the top of the ninth. But Grinnell had the final say in its last at-bat, tripling home the tying run and then scoring the game-winner on a bases-loaded passed ball.
The Rams outhit Grinnell (14-8 overall, 14-8 MWC) in the opener, 12-10, although had many missed scoring opportunities throughout. Cornell left a whopping 15 runners on base.
Darren Mancke (FR/Oswego, Ill.) went 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Zach Stone (SR/Coralville, Iowa) singled, homered and drove in two. White chipped in two hits.
In Game 2, Grinnell built an early 5-0 lead through two innings and didn't look back. The Rams stranded nine total runners.
Sass accounted for three of Cornell's eight hits and also scored twice.
Cornell relievers Jack Heneghan (SR/Chicago, Ill.), Tyler Lederhos (SR/Aurora, Colo.), Ty Bopp (SR/Coralville, Iowa) and Will Miller (SO/Littleton, Colo.) all pitched one scoreless inning.
