MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's softball team returns to the Midwest Conference Tournament this week, fresh off a 9-1 win over postseason qualifier Illinois College in Sunday's regular-season finale.
 
Coach Jackie Yoder's No. 4 seed Rams (16-17) look to carry momentum into Friday's opening-round game at 12 p.m. against No. 1 seed and host Lake Forest (28-11-1) at Mohr Field.
 
No. 2 seed Grinnell (24-14) faces No. 3 seed Illinois College (19-20) at 10 a.m. Friday. The first-round losers meet in an elimination game at 2 p.m., followed by a matchup between first-round winners at 4 p.m. to conclude Friday's action.
 
The four-team tournament continues Saturday with games at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. (if necessary). The champion earns the MWC's automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Tournament.
 
Fans can follow the action via live video and live stats.
 
The Rams won three of their final four games to secure the fourth and final MWC berth for the second year in a row. Cornell went 0-2 in last year's tourney, won by Grinnell.
 
This is Cornell's sixth MWC Tournament appearance since 2013. The Rams captured the title in 2018 and 2013.
 
The Rams are hitting .300 as a team and have scored 33 runs in their last three victories. Sophomore outfielder Peyton Souhrada is among the league leaders with a .416 batting average, 24 runs and 10 doubles. Miranda Keith has a team-high 21 RBIs. First-year Elise Oleson is hitting .368.
 
Junior Hannah Rhoades (8-3) heads Cornell's pitching staff, sporting a 3.71 earned run average over 68.0 innings. She has recorded three shutouts.
 
The Foresters finished MWC play a perfect 16-0 and enter the postseason on an eight-game winning streak. They lead the MWC with a .378 batting average and have belted 38 home runs, third-most nationally. Lake Forest has posted nine shutout wins this spring.     
 
Grinnell is back in the field for the fifth time since 2018. Illinois College is making its eighth consecutive appearance.
 
Tournament Schedule
At Lake Forest Ill. (Mohr Field)
Friday, May 10
Game 1, 10 a.m. – #2 Grinnell vs. #3 Illinois College
Game 2, 12 p.m. – #1 Lake Forest vs. #4 Cornell
Game 3, 2 p.m. – Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser
Game 4, 4 p.m. – Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner
 
Saturday, May 11
Game 5, 10 a.m. – Game 3 winner 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)