LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Cornell's lineup couldn't break into the scoring column Friday as the Rams had their season end with a pair of losses on the opening day of the Midwest Conference Softball Tournament at Mohr Field.
The No. 4 seed Rams dropped a 4-0 first-round battle to host and regular-season champion Lake Forest. Cornell then fell 8-0 to No. 3 seed Illinois College in an elimination game.
Cornell made its second consecutive postseason appearance under coach
Jackie Yoder. The Rams finished the campaign at 16-19, after going 10-6 in MWC play.
One big inning was all that separated the Rams and Lake Forest (29-11-1) in the day's opener. The Foresters broke a scoreless game with four runs in the bottom of the fourth, started by a leadoff home run. Lake Forest manufactured three more runs with a single, squeeze bunt and groundout.
Lilly Dierkes and
Elise Oleson both went 2-for-3 to lead Cornell's six-hit attack. The Rams left six runners on base, including two in the top of the sixth.
Cornell's
Hannah Edwards pitched three scoreless innings in relief. Starter
Lexi Ellermeier left a 2-0 game with two runners on in the fourth.
In Game 2, the Rams ran into Illinois College's reigning MWC Pitcher of the Year in Julia Drake, who tossed a three-hit shutout with six strikeouts.
The Lady Blues (20-21) gained early momentum during a three-run first inning. They added single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth frames before tacking on two more in the seventh.
Katie DelCorso,
Peyton Souhrada and
Monet Roelle each had a single for the Rams.
Illinois College totaled 12 hits against Cornell starter
Hannah Rhoades (8-4), who recorded her ninth complete game of the spring.
Tournament Schedule
At Lake Forest Ill. (Mohr Field)
Friday's results
Game 1 – Grinnell 13, Illinois College 0 (5 inn.)
Game 2 – Lake Forest 4, Cornell 0
Game 3 – Illinois College 8, Cornell 0 (Cornell eliminated)
Game 4, 4 p.m. – Lake Forest vs. Grinnell
Saturday's games
Game 5, 10 a.m. – Illinois College vs. Game 4 loser
Game 6, 12 p.m. – Championship: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner
Game 7, 2 p.m. – Second Championship (if necessary)
