MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's
Cade Parks roped a two-out, two-strike hit down the left-field line to plate
Kale Rose with the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning for a 5-4 walk-off victory over Alma in Game 1 of Friday's baseball doubleheader at Ash Park Field.
The Rams had ample opportunities to secure a sweep in the late-evening hours, although Alma hung on for an 11-10 win in Game 2. Cornell allowed just one earned run and left 14 runners on base in the tough nightcap loss.
Cornell (6-8) and Alma (7-10) will square off for two more games Saturday, starting at noon.
In Game 1, freshman
Collin Severson's two-run homer in the seventh brought the Rams even at 3-3.
Zach Garton pushed Cornell ahead 4-3 with a two-out single in the eighth.
After the Scots tied it with a run in the top of the ninth, the Rams mounted a two-out rally with nobody on in the bottom of the frame.
Kale Rose singled to right center and advanced to second on a
Sean Alvarez walk to set the stage for Parks' winning hit. Parks capped a 3-for-4 game at the plate that included a double and two RBIs.
Rose and Garton added two hits apiece. Rose scored twice.
Freshman
Logan Gannon gave the Rams six strong innings on the mound, yielding two runs and striking out five.
Lucas Brutsche (2-1) pitched the ninth and earned the win.
The Rams couldn't overcome six errors in the field in Game 2, which they led 7-5 through six innings. Alma scored six unearned runs with help from three Cornell miscues in the decisive seventh.
Parks' RBI single trimmed the margin to 11-10 with two outs in the ninth before Alma induced a game-ending flyout to right.
Severson went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and two runs.
Ryan Weaver,
Joseph Lomeli and Rose collected two hits apiece. Rose delivered three RBIs and extended his hitting streak to 11 games.
Senior left fielder
Vince Zipperer recorded his 100th collegiate hit, a double in the fifth.
Cornell starter
Vince Tinajero surrendered eight runs – only one earned – over 6.1 innings. Cornell outhit the Scots, 14-10.
