MOUNT VERNON – Junior outfielder Olivia Richards collected three of Cornell's eight hits Thursday night in 8-0, 9-5 nonconference softball losses to a talented Loras squad at Van Metre Family Softball Complex.
 
The young Rams (6-19) showed fight in Game 2, chipping away at an 8-0 deficit to make things interesting late. Cornell rallied for five unanswered runs, capped by a pinch-hit two-RBI single from Mady Rainey that brought the Rams within 8-5 in the bottom of the sixth.
 
Loras (19-7), ranked in the NFCA Top 25 Coaches Poll last week, scored an insurance run in the seventh and Game 1 starting pitcher Ashlyn Hemm came on to close the game in Cornell's final at-bat.
 
Richards went 2-for-2 with a double, a run and an RBI to lead the Rams in the nightcap. Caitlin Babcock also scored once and had one RBI.
 
Freshman pitcher Eva Stewart gave the Rams five quality innings in relief, allowing two runs after the Duhawks built the sizeable early lead.
 
Richards prevented Hemm's bid for a perfect game in the six-inning opener. Cornell's No. 6 hitter singled sharply to left field on an 0-2 pitch with two outs in the bottom of the fifth. Richards's hit was the lone blemish on the scorecard for Hemm (15-3), who struck out 10.
 
Loras plated three runs in the fourth to take a 4-0 lead. The Duhawks added four more in the sixth with help from a Cornell throwing error.
 
Cornell starter Skylar McCartney-Puzio allowed seven runs – five earned – over 5.1 innings.
 
The Rams (4-4 MWC) are back home Saturday for an important 1 p.m. doubleheader against Midwest Conference contender Illinois College (14-11 overall, 7-2 MWC).