GALESBURG, Ill. – Cornell's pitchers fired 13 shutout innings and Claire Gugerty (SO/Morris, Ill.) had a big five-RBI day at the plate in Saturday's 1-0, 8-0 Midwest Conference South Division softball sweep at Knox.
Sophomore left-hander Alyssa Pearson (SO/McHenry, Ill.) recorded a complete-game, five-hit shutout in the opener. In Game 2, senior Darice Wheeler (SR/Evanston, Ill.) tossed six scoreless innings of four-hit ball.
Saturday's pitching efforts marked the first time Cornell (13-7 overall, 8-6 MWC South) has shut out an opponent in both ends of a regular-season doubleheader since April 21, 2012, when the Rams swept former Iowa Conference foe Loras 10-0, 1-0.
Prior to Game 1, the Rams held a Senior Day recognition for accomplished team leaders Cailynn Wichman (SR/Crescent, Iowa) and Wheeler, and sports medicine assistant Katie Wycoff.
Wichman, an all-conference outfielder, is Cornell's record holder for hits in a season (64 in 2018) and among the program's all-time leaders in several career categories. Wheeler, an all-American utility player, entered the weekend No. 1 in career batting average (.409), slugging percentage (.716) and on-base percentage (.475) in two seasons with the Rams.
Pearson (8-4) faced just five batters over the minimum in the Game 1 victory. She struck out two and walked none.
Gugerty's solo home run in the top of the fourth proved to be the game-winner. Cornell's other three hits included a triple by Wichman and singles from Caitlin Babcock (FR/Mount Vernon, Iowa) and Wheeler.
Gugerty helped power the Rams to victory in Game 2, going 3-for-3 with two doubles, a home run and four RBIs. The sophomore catcher now has four homers on the year.
Babcock added two hits from the leadoff spot. The Rams outhit the home team, 12-4.
Wheeler (5-3) was efficient in the circle, notching her fourth complete game of the season.
Coming up – Cornell's scheduled doubleheader Sunday at division leader Illinois College (21-11 overall, 11-1 MWC) has been canceled. The games will only be rescheduled if it impacts the divisional championship.
