The softball team (31-16) got back to its winning ways this weekend sweeping both games of a double header at Albany (18-19). The Red won the first game 4-0 and the night cap 3-0.
Cornell’s bats were back in full force, handling a strong pitcher and high winds to capture the win in the opener. Senior Allison Batten once again nailed a grand slam over the center field fence to open all scoring in the fifth inning. Her shot last weekend drew first blood for the Red against Princeton in the nightcap of that series. It was Batten’s ninth home run of the season, and 22 of her career, a school record.
Head coach Dick Blood praised Batten’s long ball stating, “It was a vicious grand slam, she just crunched it. It was a long, long ball, really well hit.”
Sarah Sterman got the win for the Red, allowing four hits and a walk while striking out six.
The freshman received accolades from both Blood and senior captain Charlotte Brombach for Saturday’s performance.
“Sarah Sterman threw the ball very well and shut them down,” Blood commented.
Brombach was also quick to praise the pitching staff. “Sarah and Z [Nicole Zitarelli] both pitched great games. Sterman is coming along wonderfully and so is freshman Nicole LePera.”
Zitarelli earned the win in the second game allowing just four hits, striking out four and walking none.
Offensively, Cornell capitalized on Albany’s mishaps in order to earn the win. In the third inning freshman Leah deRiel walked to open the inning and then was moved to second by a sacrifice bunt by junior Annette Sheppard. With one out Freshman Erin Sweeney sent a single to left field. An error by the Albany left fielder allowed deRiel to score, then a second error by the catcher allowed Sweeney to cross home plate. The efforts of Sheppard and deRiel; also led to the final run in the fifth inning.
While the Red was battling out in Albany, an even more important game was taking place between Harvard and Dartmouth. The Crimson swept the Big Green to earn a share of the 2001 Ivy League Championship with Cornell. The two teams will play a best of three playoff games next weekend at Harvard. The first two games will take place on Saturday and then a third game, if needed, will occur on Sunday. The winner of the series receives an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
It will certainly be a battle this weekend. During the regular season, the two teams split the double header. Harvard is the reigning Ivy League Champions and has an overall 45-6 record for Ivy League competition in the last four years.
Of the upcoming weekend Blood stated, “We are going to their home and we are going to have to turn something around and do something special to win.” He later added, “We have to make sure we believe in our selves, and we have three games to do it.”