Rams tie win mark with sweep of Knights

A seventh-inning comeback in Game 2 propelled the Cornell College softball team to a school record-tying 19th victory and its first Iowa Conference sweep over Wartburg Sunday afternoon at Mount Vernon Softball Complex.

The Rams got home runs from Nicole Duncan and Simone Wright in a 10-6 opening-game victory. Cornell prevailed 3-2 in Game 2, fueled by a two-run rally in the bottom of the seventh.

Cornell bumped its season record to 19-7 and climbed into fifth place in the IIAC standings with a 4-4 mark. The Rams matched the 2009 squad (19-20) for most wins in a season, and still have 10 scheduled games remaining in the regular season.

Cornell's softball program held a benefit during Sunday's games for long-time area coach and current Mount Vernon softball skipper Gary Stamp, who is battling lung cancer. The team recognized Stamp and his family prior to the first game.

Freshman leadoff hitter Rebekah Ozga capped Cornell's comeback in Game 2, plating Wright on a bases-loaded infield grounder with one out in the seventh. The Rams, who trailed 2-1 entering the seventh, took advantage of three walks, one hit batsman and a fielder's choice.

Pinch hitter Kim Griseto drew a bases-load walk that tied the score at 2-2. Wartburg (8-23, 0-10 IIAC) then brought in a new pitcher to face Ozga, who hit a grounder to the shortstop. Wright beat the throw to the plate in plenty of time as the Rams notched their 12th home win in 14 tries this spring.

Freshman pitcher Jackie Sernek (6-1) yielded just three hits and one earned run in her fifth complete-game outing of the season. She struck out four and walked four.

Laurel Wilhelm went 2-for-2 with an RBI double in the fifth that tied it at 1-1. Wright accounted for Cornell's lone other hit - a bunt single - and scored two runs.

Junior right-hander Jill Trzaska (7-3) earned the Game 1 victory while recording her 200th career strikeout, the fourth Ram to reach the milestone. She fanned six Knights and allowed six runs - only two earned - before leaving the game with a 9-3 lead in the fifth. Amanda Engel worked three scoreless innings in relief, giving up four hits and striking out three.

Duncan had a big game at the plate, going 3-for-4 with four RBIs and a run scored. She cranked a three-run homer in the second that put the Rams ahead 5-3.

Wright launched a two-run homer in the third, the 20th round tripper of her career. Chrissy Rasor went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Caitlin Bisinger, Wilhelm and Wright each scored two runs.

Career marks - Wright is four hits shy of 100 for her career. The senior slugger is tied with Amy Pitlik (2002-05) for eighth place on the program's all-time hits list.

Duncan, the school's career hits leader with 183, needs just four more RBIs to reach 100 in that category. The senior lefty has driven in a team-high 20 runs this spring.

Coming up - The Rams resume IIAC play Tuesday, April 19 with a key 3 p.m. doubleheader at Loras (10-17, 4-6 IIAC), which stands one spot behind Cornell in the conference standings. Cornell hosts Monmouth Thursday, April 21 and then visits IIAC foe Simpson (20-12, 6-4 IIAC) Saturday, April 23.