The Ithaca College softball team fought, but came up short 9–3 against the Division I Cornell University Big Red April 16 at Niemand-Robison Softball Field.
After not allowing any hits with two strikeouts in the first inning, junior pitcher Anna Cornell struggled in the bottom of the second, allowing the Big Red to obtain five hits and bring in four runs. First-year right fielder Hailey Pirkey smashed a ball to left center field to take the first lead of the game at 2–0. Shortly after, sophomore shortstop Ella Harrod doubled to right, ending the inning with the Big Red leading 4–0.
The Bombers got their momentum back to start the third inning, bringing in two runs and getting five runners on base. With the bases loaded, sophomore designated hitter Kailen Winkelblech singled to left field bringing in one run. However, junior shortstop Sela Schienmen was tagged out at home plate. Head coach Kelly Robichaud thought it was a controversial call as she went up to the home plate umpire afterward. The Bombers cut their deficit to 4–2, however the Big Red were able to match them leading 6–2 going into the fourth inning.
Trailing 7–2 in the fifth inning, senior right fielder Hudson Hassler blasted a deep triple to left field, however the South Hill Squad could not bring in a run. The Big Red continued their dominance, bringing two more runs in to lead 9–2 going into the sixth inning.
The Bombers got an extra boost from junior first baseman Cynthia Ehrenfeld, who singled to right field to send home sophomore left fielder Jessie Lopez. However, it wasn’t enough to overcome the Big Red who came up on top 9–3.
Winkelblech said playing against Division I competition was a challenge for the team, but that didn’t stop them from fighting.
“It’s definitely a good challenge, we all came out ready to fight and we were up for the challenge,” Winkelblech said. “We fell short but I mean we put up a good fight and any team we are gonna fight.”
Moving onto their next competition, Winkelblech said that this game reminded the team what they need to work on.
“Getting good looks at bat,” Winkelblech said. “We definitely know what we need to work on. We saw that today. I feel like the level of competition from them is definitely different than other teams we face, but also pretty similar. So I feel like we definitely grew today and we got to see a lot of good stuff.”
With the loss, the Bombers record goes to 16–9 on the season. They will try to snap their four game losing streak with a double header against the St. Lawrence University Saints at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. April 19 in Canton, New York.
