Cornell (16-22, 6-15 Ivy) traveled to Cambridge, Massachusetts for its last competition of the season, a three-game series against Harvard University (26-11, 15-6 Ivy) on Saturday. The Red was swept in the final series of the season, but improved on both its overall and conference records from 2024.
“As a team, the camaraderie was fantastic. It was the best team atmosphere that we’ve had,” said head coach Tara Tembey. “Things we can improve upon are definitely our competitive edge … and making sure what we say matches what we do.”
Game one of a Saturday doubleheader was a 2-0 loss for the Red. There was no scoring through four innings until Harvard broke the stalemate with an RBI double in the fifth and struck again with a sacrifice fly in the sixth. Cornell was unable to capitalize on its scoring chances, specifically an opportunity with the bases loaded in the second inning.
“We have so much room for growth, and so much room to continue to learn and elevate the level of which we’re playing,” Tembey said.
Cornell failed again to build momentum in the second game of the doubleheader. Harvard opened the scoring in the third inning with a double that drove in two runs, and the Crimson followed up with a sacrifice fly to take a 3-0 lead. In the fifth inning, Harvard built on its lead with an RBI single and another sacrifice fly.
In the bottom of the seventh, sophomore outfielder Hailey Pirkey hit a solo home run to break the shutout. Cornell ultimately fell by a score of 5-1 and only had four hits throughout the game.
Game three, Cornell’s season finale, was an 8-1 loss for the Red. Harvard scored six unanswered through four innings, headlined by four RBI singles. In the top of the fifth, junior infielder Ella Harrod broke through with a sacrifice fly to put Cornell on the board. Harvard stacked two more runs on in the sixth, and the 8-1 score held, ending Cornell’s season on a sweep.
Reflecting on the season, Coach Tembey believes that the future is bright for this squad, and wants to raise the standard for Cornell softball.
“It’s making sure that our standards meet our expectations and that we’re taking advantage of what we say we want to accomplish, and making sure that our actions speak louder than words,” Tembey said.
Tembey also acknowledged the team’s three graduating seniors for their incredible contributions to the softball program over their time at Cornell.
“Thank you to the seniors for their contributions to the program, on and off the field,” Tembey said. “Not only are we graduating great student athletes, but we’re graduating phenomenal people.”
After improving on its overall and conference record in 2025, Cornell will look to take another leap forward in the 2026 season.
