MOUNT VERNON, Iowa -- Ripon dropped all three games of its weekend Midwest Conference series at Cornell College, falling 12-2, 7-5, and 8-2 .
Cornell set the tone early in Saturday's opener, capitalizing on defensive miscues to score four unearned runs across the first two innings. The Rams extended the lead to 6-1 in the third on a two-run homer and never looked back. Ripon managed eight hits in the game, including multi-hit efforts from seniors Kyler Hickman (Tracy, Calif., Merrill F. West HS) and Alex Ramus (Appleton, Wis., Appleton North HS), while junior Brock Peterson (Manitowoc, Wis., Manitowoc Lincoln HS) drove in a run. The Red Hawks added a late run in the eighth, but Cornell answered with a six-run frame of its own to put the game out of reach.
In game two, Cornell again jumped ahead early with a seven-run outburst over the first two innings. Ripon settled in behind strong relief pitching from freshman Zach Le Mieux (Suamico, Wis., Sacramento City College), who tossed six scoreless innings, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome. The Red Hawks mounted a comeback in the seventh, scoring four runs highlighted by a two-RBI single from freshman Raidan Shibayama (Honolulu, Hawaii, Punahou School) and an RBI hit from freshman Nolan Hollander (Crystal Lake, Ill., Crystal Lake Central). Junior Crete Slattery (Lake Geneva, Wis., Badger HS) added an RBI double in the ninth to bring Ripon within two, but Cornell held on to secure the win.
Sunday's finale followed a similar script, with Cornell plating four runs in the first inning and building an 8-1 lead by the fifth. Ripon's offense was led by Slattery, who went 3-for-5 with an RBI, while senior Jack Anderson (Oconomowoc, Wis., Oconomowoc HS) added two hits. The Red Hawks scored in the first and seventh innings but were unable to string together enough offense.
Across the series, Ripon showed flashes offensively, recording double-digit hits in game two and multiple multi-hit performances, but defensive struggles and early deficits proved costly. Cornell took advantage throughout the weekend, scoring 27 runs over the three games.
Ripon returns to action on Tuesday, traveling to face UW-Stevens Point at 3pm.