BELOIT, Wis. – Esteban Perez smashed a go-ahead three-run homer in the top of the ninth inning that propelled Cornell's baseball team to a pivotal 7-6 victory over two-time defending Midwest Conference Tournament champion Beloit Saturday afternoon.
 
The Rams (8-11 overall, 1-2 MWC) took the final game of the series, after Beloit (12-6 overall, 2-1 MWC) swept two games Thursday in Mount Vernon.
 
Cornell trailed 5-4 going into the ninth. Seth Beals started the rally with a leadoff hit, followed by a bunt single from Ryan Weaver, his third hit of the game.
 
With two runners on and one out, Perez connected for his second round tripper of the spring and put the Rams ahead to stay.
 
The Rams survived a scare in the bottom of the ninth. Beloit homered to get within 7-6 and had the tying run on second base with two outs. Cornell's Agustin Velazquez came on to retire the final batter on a strikeout for his first save of the season.
 
Winning pitcher Lucas Brutsche (3-1) gave the Rams 5.1 strong innings in relief, allowing two runs and two hits.
 
Cornell accounted for 12 total hits, including two each from Vince Zipperer, Collin Severson and Seth Beals. Perez's decisive homer was the Rams' lone extra-base hit of the contest.
 
Coming up – The Rams are scheduled to host rival Coe (13-4) Wednesday for a single nine-inning game at 4:30 p.m. at Ash Park Field.