The Cornell softball team ended its participation at the DeMarini Tiger Clash in Towson, Maryland, with a split against Merrimack on Saturday. The Big Red lost the first game of the doubleheader 8-4 but responded with a 4-3 win in the second matchup. Cornell’s record now stands at 5-5 for the season, while Merrimack falls to 2-7.
Lauren Holt was central to Cornell’s performance, driving in four runs with three hits and two home runs across both games. In the opener, pitcher Mila Fiordalisi worked four innings, striking out six and allowing three earned runs (four total). Madalyn Covelli pitched two innings in relief, striking out three and conceding two earned runs (four total). Covelli then started and completed all seven innings in game two, recording five strikeouts and giving up three earned runs to secure the victory.
In game one, Holt opened scoring for Cornell with a two-run homer in the first inning. Merrimack answered when Megan Miller hit a two-run home run in the second inning to tie it. The Warriors took a 3-2 lead after Madeline Arvai singled to bring Alex Miller home. Miller later singled again for Merrimack, scoring Kiele Coleman to extend their advantage.
Merrimack added three more runs in the fifth inning from Jamie Calkins, Dejah Rondeau, and Madi Gibeault (unearned). In response, Cai of Cornell singled up the middle during the sixth inning to drive in Hailey Pirkey and Susana Pate (unearned), narrowing Merrimack’s lead. However, an error allowed Calkins to score unearned for Merrimack later that inning, putting the game out of reach.
The second game saw Cornell build an early lead with three unanswered runs scored by Pate and Frans over three separate innings. Merrimack tied it up with a three-run sixth inning as Calkins, Arvai, and Rondeau crossed home plate. Holt delivered her second home run of the day at the bottom of the seventh inning to clinch a walk-off win for Cornell.
Looking ahead, Cornell will face Yale during the weekend starting March 14th for a three-game Ivy League series at 5K Corral Field. The teams are scheduled for a doubleheader on Saturday followed by one game on Sunday. Fans can watch live coverage on ESPN+.
