GALESBURG, Ill. – Cornell softball coach
Jackie Yoder recorded win No. 100 at her alma mater Saturday as the Rams rolled to an 18-7, 8-1 Midwest Conference sweep over Knox.
In her seventh season with the Rams, Yoder became the 13th coach in Cornell sports history to reach 100 wins in a career. She was also part of 92 team wins as an accomplished pitcher for the Rams from 2011-14.
On Sunday, the Rams dropped a 9-1, 5-1 nonconference doubleheader to perennial power Luther in Decorah. Cornell moved to 13-12 overall this spring.
Saturday's sweep climbed the Rams to 7-3 in the MWC.
The Rams racked up 23 hits in the Game 1 rout at Knox, highlighted by a career day at the plate by
Elise Oleson. The freshman first baseman went 4-for-5 with two doubles, a home run, two runs and seven RBIs from the No. 6 slot in the lineup.
Cornell scored 11 runs in the sixth inning, capped by Oleson's three-run homer.
First-year
Lexi Ellermeier tallied four hits, including a pair of doubles, and drove in two. She also pitched all six innings to earn the win.
Miranda Keith and
Addie Bowman had three hits apiece, while Bowman added three RBIs.
Katie DelCorso,
Caitlin Babcock and
Lilly Dierkes each totaled two hits.
Hannah Rhoades (6-1) pitched the Rams to the Game 2 win over Knox, allowing five hits and striking out eight over seven innings.
Brooke Furman and Bowman both went 3-for-4 with two runs at the bottom of Cornell's order. Bowman also had two RBIs.
Linnea Drever doubled, homered and drove in two runs.
Luther (24-8) pulled away from the Rams late in both games Sunday. Cornell trailed 2-1 in the fourth inning of Game 1. The second game was tied 1-1 entering the sixth.
Bowman singled and scored Cornell's lone run in the opener, which saw Luther outhit the Rams, 13-5.
Rhoades allowed just two hits and one run over four innings in Game 2. The Norse broke the tie with four runs in the bottom of the sixth.
Oleson doubled for one of Cornell's three hits in the contest.
Coming up – Cornell travels to play American Rivers Conference leader Central (21-6) for a 2 p.m. doubleheader Wednesday in Pella.
