ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College softball team returned to action on Friday afternoon in a home twinbill against Clarkson University at Kostrinsky Field. The Bombers dropped the first game by a 6-4 score but senior pitcher
Anna Cornell continued to cement her career with Ithaca as she reset the all-time career strikeouts record in the second inning when she punched out her 577
th career batter. Ithaca would then rebound in the nightcap run-ruling the Golden Knights by a 13-2 score in five innings. With the split, Ithaca now sits at 18-5 overall and 6-2 within the Liberty League.
Game 1: Clarkson 6, Ithaca 4 (F)
The Bombers took an early lead with
Haley Petrucci delivering an RBI sacrifice fly, making it 3-0.
Elise Waddington also scored on the throw from the outfield.
Ava Rao then singled through the right side of the infield, driving in
Kailen Winkelblech to extend the lead to 4-0.
In the top of the second inning, senior
Anna Cornell cemented her name in the record books by surpassing the previous strikeouts record of 576, set by Abby Hanrahan, with her fourth punchout. Cornell retired Lexi Rydelek to end the second inning but faced challenges in the third. Zoey Kovach doubled in a run and scored when Devin Fitzpatrick homered over the right field fence. The Golden Knights tied the score at 4-4 with a solo home run by Emily Bulone.
Taylor Brunn entered in relief and managed to escape without further damage.
The Golden Knights took the lead in the fifth inning with Lexi Rydelek's home run to right field, making it 5-4. Brunn escaped a bases-loaded situation thanks to a diving stop by
Cate Murray on a ground out.
Clarkson scored their final run, an unearned tally off
Ainsley Rogers as Bulone reached on a fielding error while driving in a teammate within the sixth inning. Rogers made a nice snag in the field during her two innings of work on a comebacker.
Elise Waddington and
Belle de Oliveira highlighted the offensive charge for Ithaca as each finished with two hits apiece, with Waddington also driving in a run.
Game 2: Ithaca 13, Clarkson 2 (F-5 innings)
The Bombers aimed to reverse their fortunes in the nightcap but saw Clarkson take a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning when Lexi Rydelek homered to straightaway center off
Mady Rowell. Ithaca responded explosively in the bottom of the third inning, scoring seven runs.
Kailen Winkelblech worked a tough at-bat and eventually walked, driving in
Jessie Lopez.
Haley Petrucci then delivered a two-RBI single through the left side of the infield, followed by Winkelblech scoring on a wild pitch.
Anna Bello drove in Petrucci on a fielder's choice, and
Belle de Oliveira capped the inning with a home run off the IC scoreboard, making it 8-1.
In the fourth inning, the Bombers strung together six hits around a pair of outs.
Cate Murray delivered a triple to right center,
Elise Waddington laid down a perfect bunt, and both
Isabella Maynard and
Jessie Lopez drove in two runs each, making the score 13-1.
The Bombers secured the run-rule victory in the fifth inning, despite Clarkson picking up another run with an RBI double from Zoey Kovach.
Mady Rowell locked back in to escape further trouble and earned her eighth win of the season, scattering six hits across five innings of work.
Next up, Ithaca will return to action on Saturday in another Liberty League doubleheader, hosting St. Lawrence beginning at 1 p.m.
