PRINCETON, N.J. (Interstat) — Caden Wildman’s two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning provided crucial insurance runs and a trio of Cornell pitchers combined on a six-hit shutout over the final eight innings as the Big Red salvaged the finale of an Ivy League series with a 6-3 victory over Princeton on Sunday at Bill Clarke Field.

After being outscored 25-7 in a doubleheader sweep a day earlier, Cornell (3-13, 1-2 Ivy) relied on a resilient pitching performance to snap a four-game skid. Starter Ethan Hamill, despite a rocky first inning, earned the win. The right-hander allowed all three Princeton runs and both of his walks in the opening frame but settled in powerfully, retiring 13 of the final 14 batters he faced. He finished with five innings pitched, yielding three runs on two hits with six strikeouts.

Princeton (7-12, 2-1) struck quickly against Hamill. After a leadoff single and a caught stealing, Ben Crerar singled and Jaxon Koonin walked. Will Robbins then delivered a two-out, two-run double to left field, cutting into an early Cornell lead and tying the game briefly.

The Big Red had built that early advantage in the top of the first against Princeton starter Liam Kinneen. Leadoff man Beaulieu was hit by a pitch, advanced on a wild pitch, and scored on an RBI single by Barela. Cornell added another run in the third on a sacrifice fly by Barela, again scoring Beaulieu, to take a 2-0 lead before Princeton’s response.

The Tigers pulled within a run in the fourth inning on a solo home run by Jake Kernodle off Hamill, making it 3-2. That was the final hit Princeton would manage. Relievers John Hegarty and Max Foster were dominant in support of Hamill. Hegarty threw three perfect innings, striking out one, and Foster pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for the save, with the only baserunner reaching on a walk.

Kinneen was effective in a losing effort for Princeton, allowing two runs on five hits over six innings with four strikeouts. The game remained a tense one-run affair until the eighth, when Cornell’s Jake Hower led off with a solo home run down the left-field line against reliever Ryan Penney to extend the lead to 4-3. Hager followed with a double, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on another wild pitch later in the inning.

Leading 5-3 in the ninth, Cornell put the game out of reach. After a hit-by-pitch and a sacrifice bunt, Wildman connected for his two-run blast to left field off Charlie Wolf, providing the final margin.

The most important part of the game was the immediate and sustained response of Cornell’s pitching staff after Princeton’s threatening first inning. Hamill’s ability to navigate the early trouble and then dominate, followed by the flawless relief from Hegarty and Foster, completely stifled the Tigers’ offense. After Robbins’ two-run double in the first, Princeton managed only four more baserunners, with just one advancing past first base. This collective effort on the mound transformed a potentially disastrous start into a commanding performance, allowing Cornell’s offense time to build and secure the lead.

Wildman finished 1 for 3 with a home run, two walks, two RBIs and two runs scored. Robbins led Princeton, going 2 for 3 with a double and two RBIs.

An announced crowd of 224 attended the afternoon contest, which concluded in the evening.