BELOIT, Wis. – Cornell's softball team took its winning ways to the road Saturday, claiming a 4-1, 2-0 sweep over Beloit in the Midwest Conference opening series.
The Rams (8-5 overall, 2-0 MWC) extended their winning streak to six games behind strong pitching outings from first-year
Lexi Ellermeier and junior
Hannah Rhoades.
Ellermeier (2-3) went the distance in Game 1, scattering just three hits over seven innings for her fourth complete game of the season. She struck out three and walked one.
Lilly Dierkes' RBI fielder's choice put the Rams ahead 2-1 in the top of the fifth. Cornell added two more runs in the sixth, including a bunt from
Addie Bowman that brought home
Mary Puffett.
The Rams were held to three hits in the opener, although capitalized on five errors by Beloit (3-18 overall, 0-2 MWC).
Rhoades (3-0) continued her success in the pitching circle, tossing a five-hit shutout in Game 2. The right-hander struck out seven and did not issue a walk. It was her second complete-game shutout in three days.
The Rams accounted for eight hits, receiving two apiece from Dierkes,
Miranda Keith and
Kaylynn Sparks.
Keith put Cornell on the board with an RBI single in the top of the first.
Peyton Souhrada tripled home Keith for Cornell's other run in the third.
Coming up – Sunday's scheduled doubleheader at Lake Forest has been postponed to Thursday, April 11. The Rams will host rival Coe Wednesday for a 4 p.m. doubleheader at Van Metre Family Softball Field.
