MOUNT VERNON – Cornell needed a lift in Game 2, and received a big one in the form of a Linnea Drever grand slam that sent the Rams on to a 12-4 five-inning victory over Ripon at Van Metre Family Softball Field.
 
The Rams salvaged a split following a 9-1 five-inning loss in Game 1. They improved to 11-10 overall and 5-3 in the Midwest Conference at the halfway point of the conference slate.
 
Cornell broke open a 4-3 lead in the second game with a six-run rally in the bottom of the fourth. Drever was at the plate with the bases packed and one out when she roped a 3-2 pitch over the center-field fence that suddenly put the Rams ahead 9-3.
 
It was the second homer of the season for Cornell's first-year outfielder, who went 2-for-3 with two runs and four RBIs.
 
Peyton Souhrada doubled twice and drove in two runs. Lilly Dierkes added two hits and Katie DelCorso had a double and two RBIs for Cornell's 11-hit attack.
 
Junior Hannah Rhoades (5-1) pitched her second complete game in as many days. She surrendered only two earned runs over five innings.
 
In Game 1, the Rams hurt themselves with three errors that led to five unearned runs scored by the Red Hawks (3-17 overall, 1-5 MWC). Ripon plated six runs in the fourth inning to take control.
 
DelCorso went 2-for-3 from the leadoff spot in the lineup. Dierkes doubled and scored Cornell's lone run in the bottom of the first.   
   
Coming up – The Rams play host to American Rivers Conference foe Loras (17-11) for a 4 p.m. doubleheader Tuesday.