Rams sweep Spartans on walk-off walk

Cornell overcame three one-run deficits and celebrated an extra-inning Game 2 victory on a bases-loaded walk by senior Charlie Muir in the bottom of the ninth Wednesday night to cap a 6-1, 6-5 Iowa Conference baseball sweep over Dubuque at Ash Park Field.

The Rams (7-17 overall, 4-5 IIAC) were down to their final at-bat in the bottom of the seventh and down to their final out in the eighth before prolonging the nightcap with single runs in both frames. Cornell completed the comeback on sophomore Joe Gerace's run with no outs in the ninth.

Cornell claimed its first doubleheader sweep at home since taking two from Central on April 30, 2008. The Rams improved to 4-1 at Ash Park.

"Our guys believed in each other and stuck together to grind out an extra-inning win," said first-year head coach Seth Wing, whose club moved into a tie for fifth place in the IIAC standings. "The guys showed tremendous grit and resiliency. It was fun to watch."

Trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the seventh, Zach Rogers sent the game to extra innings on a sacrifice fly that plated Juan Flores. Dubuque (15-12, 4-8 IIAC) doubled home a run in the eighth to regain the lead at 5-4. The Rams answered again in the bottom of the eighth with Justin Brown delivering a clutch two-out single to shallow left field to score Nick Norris.

Gerace set the table in the ninth with a leadoff triple to right center. The Spartans then intentionally walked Milton Kurschner and Rogers to load the bases for Muir, who drew the free pass to win the game. It was the third RBI for Muir, who had a two-run homer in the first.

Cornell freshman reliever Tyler Thorne (1-0) came on in the ninth and retired the Spartans in order to record his first collegiate win. Starter Beriah Quick allowed four runs and four hits in 5.1 innings of work. The Rams played errorless ball in the field.

The Rams rode the right arm of freshman Kyle Stennes (2-0) in the opening-game win. Stennes gave up just three hits and one run while fanning eight over six innings. Brown closed out the game with a scoreless seventh.

Cornell did all its scoring in a six-run second frame. Brown had a two-run hit and Gerace singled home another. Rogers added a sacrifice fly.

Flores was 2-for-2 with a run scored to lead Cornell's seven-hit attack. Rogers added a double, his seventh of the year.

"Game 1 was a complete team effort with pitching, defense and offensive execution," Wing said. "It was one of the best games we've played all year."