Softball swept by first place Cornell

The Columbia softball team (11-28, 2-12 Ivy) lost both of its games in a doubleheader last Saturday against the Ivy League’s first-place team, Cornell (25-11, 12-2 Ivy).

The Lions were shut out in the first game, losing 10-0 after the game was called in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Big Red scored three runs in each of the first two innings. Catcher Kristen Towne and center fielder Devon March each had two-out run-scoring hits in the first inning, while infielder Elise Menaker hit a 2 RBI triple in the bottom of the second.

Senior Aimee Kemp held Cornell to one run in the third inning, but allowed three more runs to score in the fourth inning. Cornell junior Elizabeth Dalrymple threw four innings of one-hit ball, while Lauren Marx added a scoreless inning of relief. Columbia sophomore Maureen O’Kane took her 12th loss of the season.

In the second game, Cornell scored three first-inning runs off junior Maggie Johnson. The right-hander was able to hold the Big Red offense to one run over the final five innings, but she ended up taking her 11th loss of the year. Cornell’s Dalrymple scattered seven hits in as many innings, with four strikeouts for a complete game victory, improving her record to 15-3.

The Light Blue scored a run in the top of the sixth, on sophomore catcher Kayla Lechler’s fourth home run of the season—a solo shot to center field with two outs in the inning. She finished with two hits in the 4-1 loss.

The final two games of the series were postponed due to inclement weather, with a make-up date to be scheduled for later this week. Columbia is scheduled to play its final nonconference opponent, against St. Peter’s on Thursday, before facing Penn in a four-game series to finish the season.