Cornell University’s baseball team secured its first win of the season by splitting a doubleheader against Fordham at Houlihan Park in the Bronx on Saturday. After losing the opening game 7-2, Cornell rebounded to take the second game 3-1, holding Fordham to just one hit.
In the first game, Fordham took an early lead when Tommy McAndrews delivered a two-run single in the first inning. The Rams extended their advantage with another run in the fourth and broke open the contest in the fifth as McAndrews hit a three-run home run. He finished with five RBIs for Fordham. Cornell’s offense managed eight hits but struggled against Fordham starter Ben Elson, who allowed only four hits over seven scoreless innings.
Cornell scored twice in the eighth inning on an RBI double by Luke Johnson and a wild pitch that allowed him to score. Charles Mayfield started for Cornell, giving up six runs over 4 1/3 innings.
The nightcap saw a strong pitching performance from Cornell. Starter Henry Holcombe gave up just one unearned run on one hit over five innings. Relievers Jack Hegarty and Max Foster combined for four hitless innings to secure the victory.
Cornell took a 1-0 lead in the third inning when Luke Johnson doubled and later scored on Owen Carlson’s sacrifice fly. Fordham tied it in the sixth after a throwing error set up Tommy Kirk’s sacrifice fly.
Jackson Hower put Cornell ahead with a solo home run in the seventh inning and added an insurance RBI single in the ninth. Hower went 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Max Barela also had two hits for Cornell.
Fordham starter Charlie Hanawalt struck out ten batters but took the loss after allowing two runs across eight innings.
Hegarty was credited with the win after pitching three hitless innings of relief, while Foster earned his first save of the season by closing out the ninth inning without allowing a baserunner.
The teams will play again Sunday at noon to decide the series.
