This weekend, softball (12-11, 4-5 Ivy) traveled to Providence, Rhode Island for a three-game series against Brown University (17-10, 5-4 Ivy). The low-scoring series resulted in two losses and one win for Cornell as the Red continue to fight in a tough Ivy League.
Game one of a Friday doubleheader was a 1-0 win for the Red. Sophomore outfielder Hailey Pirkey scored the lone run for Cornell in the second inning with an RBI double down the right field line, enough to push Cornell to a narrow victory.
The game turned into a pitchers’ duel between Cornell junior Kyrie Denny and Brown’s Alexis Guevara. Denny got the win and pitched a gem, going for the full seven innings, striking out seven and allowing zero earned runs.
“Kyrie is staying composed on the mound and that composure is key,” said head coach Julie Farlow ‘97. “She’s been able to get out of jams and pitch some quick innings for us.”
Game two of Friday’s doubleheader was a 6-1 loss for Cornell. In the first inning, freshman outfielder Charlize Cai reached first base on a fielder’s choice, driving in Cornell’s only run of the game. Brown went on to score six unanswered, as its pitcher Macy Borowski shut down the Red offense, allowing only two hits.
“We left way too many runners on base this weekend. … We had offensive opportunities and we couldn’t capitalize,” Farlow said. “In game two, we had only two hits, but we left ten runners on base.”
With the series tied at 1-1, the pivotal third game was another low scoring affair that decided the series. In the third inning, Cai reached on a fielding error, driving in a run for Cornell. In the fifth inning, an RBI triple and sacrifice fly for Brown brought the score to 2-1.
In the top of the sixth, Pirkey smashed an RBI double to left field, tying the game at 2-2. Brown responded in the bottom of the inning with a home run to take a 3-2 lead going into the seventh.
Cornell wasn’t able to rally, and the 3-2 score held, handing Cornell its fifth Ivy League loss of the season. Despite the loss, Denny had another great game, pitching seven innings, allowing only three runs, and striking out three.
“There’s such parity in our league that any loss or win heavily impacts the standings. So that game three loss is tough on us,” Farlow said. “We have to rebound this week … come out ready to face Princeton next weekend.”
Next up for Cornell is one home game against Syracuse University at Niemand-Robison field at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9. The week will end with a three-game home series against Princeton University that starts at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 12. Fans can find live coverage for all four games on ESPN+.
