MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's softball lineup accounted for 16 total hits in Tuesday's doubleheader, but they weren't enough to keep pace with a quality Luther squad in losses by identical 11-4 scores at Van Metre Family Softball Field.
 
The Rams (3-6) stayed within one run through four innings in Game 1. They rallied for four runs in the late innings in Game 2 against the perennial American Rivers Conference title contender.
 
In the opener, Cornell received two hits apiece from Alexa Corona, Brooke Furman and Addie Bowman. RBI singles by Corona and Furman brought the Rams within 5-4 in the fifth.  
   
The Norse (7-5) responded with three runs in each of the next two innings to take control.
 
The Rams were plagued by four errors that led to seven unearned runs in Game 1. Starting pitcher Lexi Ellermeier logged 5.2 innings for the Rams.
 
Seven Rams tallied a hit in Game 2, including a 2-for-2 effort at the plate by Charlotte Alexander.
 
Down 9-0, Cornell extended the game with two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Lilly Dierkes and Peyton Souhrada both had an RBI double in Cornell's two-run sixth, which cut the deficit to 9-4.
 
Corona and Bowman also drove in one run apiece.
 
Coming up – The Rams travel to play Eureka (2-4) for a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday in Eureka, Ill.