GALESBURG, Ill. – With the Rams needing a win to even the series in Game 2 Saturday, junior right-hander Patrick Montagna delivered his best outing of the season, going the distance in an 8-2 Midwest Conference baseball victory over Knox at Blodgett Field.  
 
Montagna helped Cornell (15-10 overall, 6-5 MWC) bounce back from a 9-7 setback in Game 1, which saw a Ram rally end with the bases loaded in the top of the ninth.
 
The Rams will host the Prairie Fire (7-17 overall, 1-9 MWC) in the rubber game of the series at 4 p.m. Monday at Ash Park Field.
 
Montagna (3-1) surrendered just two hits and struck out a season-high 10 batters over nine dominant innings on the hill. He faced only four batters over the minimum in his first complete game as a Ram.
 
Montagna gave up a two-out RBI single in the third and a two-out solo homer in the sixth. He issued three walks in the game.
 
Cornell scored six runs in its final two at-bats, unlocking a 2-2 game through seven innings. Kale Rose pushed the Rams ahead during a two-run eighth inning, lacing an RBI triple and then scoring on a wild pitch.
 
The Rams pulled away with four runs on six hits in the ninth.
 
Colin Whelan went 3-for-5 with an RBI. Seth Beals homered, doubled and scored three runs. The Rams also got two hits apiece from Darren Mancke, James Kent, Colin Konicek and Rose.  
 
Cornell mounted a late comeback in Game 1, after trailing 9-5 going into the ninth. Whelan connected for a pinch-hit two-run homer – his first collegiate round-tripper – to bring the Rams within 9-7.
 
The Rams loaded the bases with one out, but Knox was able to escape the jam with a strikeout and game-ending grounder.
 
Rose led Cornell's 11-hit attack, going 3-for-4 with a double and three runs scored. Mancke added two hits and Grant Morris scored twice.
 
Knox went ahead 4-0 after two innings. Preston Wright kept Cornell within striking distance, allowing one run over 4.1 innings in relief.