Rogers, Kurschner each collect three hits in season-opening win

Cornell enjoyed some southern sun and a season-opening victory, outslugging Massachusetts Maritime Academy 14-11 Friday afternoon during the team's trip to Fort Pierce, Fla.

The Rams (1-0) used a big fourth inning to seemingly blow the game open with a 12-1 lead. Maritime rallied late and sent the game-tying run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth before Cornell junior right-hander Justin Brown induced a ground out to preserve the victory.

“It was a good all-around trip,” Cornell second-year head coach Adam Hadenfeldt said. “First of all it was good to get outside and get an early sense of the team. I was encouraged by our patience at the plate. We got off to a good start and the guys fed off one another.”

Sophomore Zach Rogers paced Cornell's 13-hit attack, going 3-for-6 with a pair of triples and two RBIs. Milton Kurschner went 3-for-3 and drove in two runs. Andrew Patzke had two hits, scored three runs and drove in two. Jesse Searls had three RBIs and Ryan Nordtvedt scored four times.

Cornell took control early with four runs in the first inning, capped by Ryan Clausen's two-run single. The Rams added another run in the third, and then broke loose for seven runs on six hits while sending 12 batters to the plate in the decisive fourth frame.

Patzke singled, tripled and drove in a pair of runs in the fourth. Searls delivered a two-run double and Rogers had an RBI triple.

Rogers tripled home another run in the sixth and Nathan Jepsen added an RBI in the seventh to complete the Rams' scoring.

Starting pitcher Adam Butler picked up the win, scattering three hits and allowing one run in three innings. Charlie Muir and Brown finished the game in relief.

“Our guys were all on pitch counts and did a nice job,” Hadenfeldt said. “They threw strikes and we played good defense behind them for the most part.”

Coming up – The Rams are scheduled to play a four-game set against Robert Morris this weekend in Springfield, Ill. The teams will play a doubleheader at noon Saturday, and a second twin bill at 11 a.m. Sunday.