CLERMONT, Fla. – Cornell's softball team opened spring break play Friday in the Sunshine State with losses to undefeated Moravian, 9-0, and Houghton, 13-3 in nine innings.
 
The Rams dropped a tough one in Game 2 to Houghton, after carrying a 3-2 lead into the seventh. Houghton (4-4) tied it with a run in the top of the seventh and broke it open by scoring 10 times in the ninth.
 
Julissa Rivera and Eva Stewart had two hits apiece and both scored a run to pace the Rams (0-4). Stewart tallied Cornell's lone extra-base hit, a triple. Olivia Richards had one run and Caitlin Babcock recorded two sacrifice bunts and one RBI.
 
Freshman pitcher Hannah Rhoades gave the Rams five strong innings in a starting role. She surrendered just three hits and one run, which was unearned.
 
The Rams were held to two hits in the opener against Moravian (10-0), an NCAA Tournament team a season ago. Moravian built a 6-0 cushion through three innings and ended it with three more in the sixth.
 
Zoie Harvey doubled and Claire Gugerty singled for the Rams.    
 
The Rams continue their 10-game trip Saturday, facing Wheaton at 1 p.m. (Central time) and 2021 NCAA Regional qualifier Eastern Nazarene at 3:15 p.m.