The Cornell softball team split their doubleheader against the Pioneers of UW-Platteville, losing game one 6-1 while capturing the win in game two 4-2 at Van Metre Family Softball Field on Sunday.
The Rams dropped game one, 6-1, behind a three-run seventh from the Pioneers after the Rams brought themselves within two runs.
After being down 3-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth, the Rams scored a run on Peyton Souhrada’s sacrifice fly. The Rams would bring themselves within two runs after four innings with the score being 3-1.
The Pioneers started off hot in the first three innings scoring three runs on four hits but were shut down in the fourth through the sixth innings as senior pitcher Alyssa Pearson didn’t allow either a hit or a run in that span. Pearson pitched a complete game receiving the loss after facing 32 batters in seven innings.
Miranda Keith finished with two of the Rams’ four hits as she doubled in the fourth to right field and singled to second base in the sixth to move her to 19 hits on the year. Keith has had a hit in three straight games.
Game 2 saw the Rams take a commanding 4-2 win over the Pioneers as they came out hot and scored three runs through the first and second innings off four hits and an error.
Rhoades not only showcased her pitching ability but also her potent hitting skills on the plate as she scored the first run of the game on a sacrifice bunt in the first innings. The bottom of the second inning saw the Rams score two runs on three hits and an error by the Pioneers.
Senior Erin Puck finished with two hits in three at-bats for the Rams while also scoring a run. Puck leads the Rams in hits as she currently sits at 23. Puck joined six other Rams who secured a hit this game.
Peyton Souhrada finished with one hit in three at-bats compiling two runs for scores as well.
Earlier in the week, the Rams lost 6-0 and 12-2 against Luther, 3-1 and 3-2 against Simpson and 12-4 and 6-1 against Coe.
Against Luther, Puck accounted for three of Cornell’s five hits in the doubleheader, raising her season batting average to .438.
Left-hander Alyssa Pearson pitched her first complete game of the spring, yielding nine hits and five earned runs. The Norse broke it open with four runs over the final three innings.
Luther ace Kendra Cooper went the distance in the circle, striking out 11 and walking two.
The Rams were in a battle in Game 2 before Luther pulled away with a decisive nine-run fifth inning, seven of the runs which were unearned.
Rhoades was tough early, holding Luther’s lineup to one hit through four innings as the Rams hung within 3-2. Rhoades allowed three earned runs and struck out three over 4.2 innings.
Puck, Miranda Keith and Monet Roelle had one hit apiece to lead the Rams, who committed two costly errors in the field. Keith and Rhoades both collected one RBI.
Against Simpson, Rhoades struck out four in an impressive first career start, walked two, and allowed nine hits. She stranded seven Storm runners on base.
The Rams compiled 10 hits from seven different batters in the opener, although left eight runners on base as they were held scoreless through six innings.
After falling behind in Game 2, down 3-0 in the bottom of the seventh, the Rams scored two runs to bring them within one.
A walk, a fielding error, and a single loaded the bases for the Rams with nobody out. Katie Nelson hit a sacrifice fly to left field to bring the Rams within two. A ground out by Izzy Gullixon scored a run that brought the Rams within 3-2 with two outs.
Pearson received the loss after pitching 6.1 innings, allowing seven hits and three runs. She struck out three and walked five.
Puck finished the series with three hits in eight at-bats while teammate Zoie Harvey had two hits in five at-bats.
Against Coe, Puck tallied three hits and a pair of runs in the doubleheader.
Puck singled and scored during Cornell’s three-run first inning in Game 1, which also saw freshman Peyton Souhrada deliver a two-RBI double that brought the Rams within 4-3 early. 
The Kohawks broke the game open in the fourth behind on a two-run double and a two-run homer. Coe ended the opener in six innings, outhitting the Rams 15-6.
Miranda Keith went 2-for-3 with a run. Zoie Harvey added a double.
Puck accounted for Cornell’s lone hit in Game 2 against Kohawk senior Ellie Thurow, who recorded 10 strikeouts over seven innings. Puck reached on a bunt single to lead off the bottom of the first and eventually scored on a groundout by Claire Gugerty that put the Rams ahead 1-0.
Behind starting sophomore pitcher Holly Kremer, the Rams were tied 1-1 through three innings. Coe gained separation with four runs and four hits in the top of the fourth. The Kohawks scored once more in the seventh for the final margin.
Freshman Lily Deckard relieved Kremer in the circle and surrendered only one run over the final 3.2 innings. The Kohawks totaled 12 hits in the nightcap, all of them singles.