Cornell earns first sweep of Coe

MOUNT VERNON - The best start in Cornell College softball history now includes a historic sweep.

Kelsey Boss' three-run sixth-inning double snapped a 3-3 tie in the first game, then Mary Baldwin wiggled out of trouble repeatedly in the second as the Rams swept Coe, 7-3 and 2-1, in a college softball double-header Wednesday night at the Mount Vernon Softball Complex.

It was Cornell's first sweep of the Kohawks in the 34-year history of this softball series.

April fools? Hardly.

'It's a huge step in the right direction,” said hometown girl Kylea Weber. 'We've had the potential to do this, but this year we were able to come through and make it happen.”

This has historically been a one-sided rivalry, but that is changing. Cornell improved to 10-70 all-time against the Kohawks, with four wins in the last six games.

'We've played really good competition. We're competitive, and we've been able to shut teams down,” Baldwin said.

Cornell was the superior defensive team Wednesday. The Rams (16-3) turned three double plays, including one to end the nightcap. Meanwhile, Coe (15-9) committed seven errors. Eight of Cornell's nine runs were unearned.

That included all five in the bottom of the sixth in Game 1 as the Rams rallied from a 3-2 deficit.

With the game tied a 3-all and the bases loaded, Boss drove the ball to the left-field fence. Three runs scored, then Boss followed them home on an errant throw.

The Rams trailed, 3-0, before chipping away with a run in the second and another in the fifth.

No comeback was necessary in the second game. Boss doubled home Weber in the first inning, then Kari Martin delivered an RBI single in the fifth.

Cornell held that 2-0 edge into the top of the seventh, when the Kohawks loaded the bases with one out for Paige Zahner, the team's top power threat.

Zahner flew out to center. Erin Lang scored on the play, but Cornell catcher Sarah Schimanski threw out Brianna Gardner, who was trying to advance to third.

Baldwin, a sophomore from West Branch, gave up eight hits and walked three. But she never cracked.

'I was just thinking one batter at a time, letting them hit the ball,” Baldwin said.

Boss was 4 for 7 with four RBIs.

CORNELL 7-2, COE 3-1

At Mount Vernon

Game 1

Coe 030 000 0 - 3 8 5

Cornell 010 015 x - 7 7 1

Arran Weeces, Maliah Fligg (6) and Haley Smith. Jesse Applehans and Kendra Christensen. W - Applehans (10-1). L - Weeces (9-3).

Game 2

Coe 000 000 1 - 1 8 2

Cornell 100 010 x - 2 6 1

Kalyn Putman and Paige Zahner. Mary Baldwin and Sarah Schimanski. W - Baldwin (4-0). L - Putman (2-2).

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com