Softball News Releases

Wright's walk-off homer leads Rams to sweep of Dubuque 

MOUNT VERNON – Freshman slugger Simone Wright (Zion, Ill./Waukegan) blasted a game-winning home run and sophomore pitcher Ashton Horn (Davenport/West) fired a pair of complete-game shutouts in leading Cornell’s softball team to a 2-0, 8-0 Iowa Conference doubleheader sweep of Dubuque April 5 at Davis Park in Mount Vernon.

The last time Cornell shut out an IIAC opponent in both games of a doubleheader was at Dubuque (11-0, 5-0) on April 25, 2002.

Earlier last week, the Rams fell 4-1, 4-1 to defending IIAC champion Luther April 2 in Decorah.

Cornell 2-8, Dubuque 0-0 (April 5, at Mount Vernon)
Wright unlocked a scoreless pitchers’ dual with a two-run walk-off homer with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning to carry the Rams to a 2-0 opening game victory over the Spartans.

Sophomore Jessica Mauser (Westminster, Colo./Standley Lake) started the rally with a one-out double. Wright then ended the game with a shot over the left-center field fence. Wright’s third home run of the season was just the third hit for Cornell – all for extra bases – in the game. Cornell’s other hit was a triple by Nicole Duncan (Wilton/Wilton) in the fourth.

“I was very excited to see Simone step up and deliver in the seventh inning,” Cornell head coach Shanda Ness. “She’s a very strong and athletic player. We knew if we could get her to see the ball, she could be an impact player.”

Horn did the rest of the work on the mound, allowing five singles with seven strikeouts and two walks.

Horn (12-6) was even better in an 8-0 five-inning victory in Game 2. She tossed a two-hitter with four strikeouts and no walks. Horn faced just two batters over the minimum and picked up her fourth shutout of the season.

Mauser led the offense, going 3-for-3 with three runs and an RBI. Wright went 2-for-2 with an RBI. Duncan drove in two runs and Laurel Wilhelm (Blairstown/Benton) scored twice.

“Horn threw the ball very well,” Ness said. “(The sweep) was really a team effort. We played solid defense behind her. The team is making progress and playing with confidence.”

Cornell 1-1, Luther 4-4 (April 2, at Decorah)
The Rams were dealt their first two setbacks in IIAC play by identical 4-1 scores to Luther on the road.

Kim Cox (Calhan, Colo./Ellicott) singled home Wright for Cornell’s lone run in the top of the seventh in the opening game. The Rams threatened for more, but left the bases loaded in the final inning. Horn surrendered three earned runs, walked eight and struck out five. Cornell outhit the Norse, 6-4.

“In Game 1, we put ourselves in position to win the game,” Ness said. “We played them well. We didn’t play bad. They just played better. I feel that we have the type of team that can win those games.”

In Game 2, Wright accounted for Cornell’s only run with a solo homer in the fifth. Wright’s blast cut the deficit to 2-1 before Luther pulled away with two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Horn allowed seven hits and three earned runs in the loss.

Coming up – Wednesday, April 9, at Grinnell, Grinnell, 4 p.m.; Thursday, April 10, UW-Platteville, Davis Park, Mount Vernon, 4 p.m.; Saturday, April 12, at Central, Pella, 2 p.m.; Wednesday, April 16, Simpson, Davis Park, Mount Vernon, 4 p.m.

Who’s hot? – During her current six-game hitting streak, Wright is batting .615 (8-for-13) with seven runs, five walks, three home runs and six RBIs. For the season, she leads the team with a .474 batting average and a whopping 1.000 slugging percentage.