MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's baseball team finished a difficult pre-conference stretch against quality foes Sunday with an 11-6 setback to No. 22 nationally-ranked Loras at Ash Park Field.
The Rams (3-8) endured one rough inning – seven runs (five unearned) by Loras in the top of the second – that proved to be the difference and helped keep the Duhawks (16-0) undefeated this season. Loras beat Cornell twice Saturday in Cedar Rapids.
Cornell had six players record a hit, led by
Drew Logel's 2-for-4 effort that included three RBIs from the cleanup hitter.
The Rams got two hits apiece from
Kale Rose,
Seth Beals and
Josiah Shaw. Rose and Shaw each doubled and drove in a run.
Colin Konicek added one RBI.
Cornell's lone two errors aided Loras' seven-run outburst in the second, putting the Duhawks ahead 7-1. The Rams cut the margin to 7-4 in the third before Loras responded with four unanswered runs.
Loras outhit the Rams, 13-10. Cornell relievers
Will Miller,
Cai Brevig and
Aiden Rosenthal each pitched one scoreless inning to finish the game.
The Rams open Midwest Conference play next weekend with a three-game set against defending MWC champion and 2022 preseason favorite Illinois College in Jacksonville, Ill. The teams play a noon doubleheader Saturday, followed by a single game Sunday, March 27.
