MOUNT VERNON –
Alexa Corona delivered a game-winning sacrifice fly in Game 1 and pitcher
Lexi Ellermeier escaped a bases-loaded jam in the seventh inning of Game 2 as Cornell claimed a 4-3, 5-3 Midwest Conference sweep over Grinnell Wednesday at Van Metre Family Softball Field.
The Rams (14-8 overall, 2-2 MWC) secured their first series home wins over Grinnell (6-18 overall, 1-5 MWC) since the 2018 season. Cornell had dropped nine of the past 10 overall meetings against its in-state rival.
Corona scored three times from the leadoff spot in Game 1, which the Rams never led until her final at-bat in the bottom of the seventh.
Lauren Summers started Cornell's rally with a double to left and moved to third on a perfectly-placed bunt hit by
Monet Roelle.
With nobody out and the score knotted at 3-3, Corona sent the first pitch she saw to deep left field. Summers tagged on the flyout and trotted home for the walk-off victory.
No. 3 hitter
Corrin Kennedy went 2-for-3 with a double, three stolen bases and three RBIs. Summers and
Monet Roelle collected two hits apiece.
Summers (3-2) earned the pitching win, tossing four scoreless innings of three-hit ball in relief.
Ellermeier (7-4) went the distance in the circle in Game 2, allowing five hits and three runs. The Pioneers cut the margin to 5-3 with one run in the top of the seventh and had the bases packed with one out.
Ellermeier induced a flyout to center field and then struck out No. 3 hitter Kayla O'Malley swinging to end the game. O'Malley had gone 3-for-3 in the opening game.
Cornell junior
Linnea Drever, who had an impressive 20-game on-base streak snapped in Game 1, bounced back with a 3-for-3 effort in the nightcap. She doubled twice, scored two runs and drove in another.
The Rams took the lead during a three-run second frame.
Brianna Risley drew a bases-loaded walk, followed by a two-run single from Summers that put Cornell ahead 3-1.
Peyton Souhrada collected two of Cornell's eight hits.
Coming up – The Rams travel to play Lawrence (8-14 overall, 1-3 MWC) Saturday for a 1 p.m. doubleheader in Appleton, Wis.
