The Forester softball team routed visiting Knox College 10-0 and
10-1 on Saturday (April 24). Both games lasted just five innings.
Lake Forest is now 20-10-1 overall this season and 10-1 in Midwest
Conference play. The victory in the opener clinched the Foresters'
right to host the 2010 MWC Championship Tournament May 7-8. The
Prairie Fire fell to 6-22 overall and 1-10 in the league.
Freshman pitcher Jordan Ratliff (Petersburg, Mich./Summerfield)
made Lake Forest College softball history in game one by tossing
the first perfect game and 12th no-hitter in the program's 32
years. She struck out four batters and induced nine groundouts in
the game. Ratliff is now 10-4 on the season with a 1.50 earned run
average.
The home team took the lead in the bottom of the first inning.
Freshman second baseman Megan Harkins (Homewood,
Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) led off with a base hit down the left
field line and advanced to second when the outfielder misplayed the
ball. She then stole third base and scored on a single by sophomore
right fielder Danielle Gore (Arlington Heights, Ill./Hersey).
Senior catcher Jill Pfund (Morenci, Mich./Morenci) hit a two-out
double down the left field line in the second and scored on a
single up the middle by senior center fielder Sam Pinsoneault
(Manchester, N.H./New Hampton).
Three other Forester seniors scored in the third inning. Shortstop
Tracy Rainey (Roselle, Ill./Lake Park) led off the frame with a
single and left fielder Jeanette Andresen (Woodridge, Ill./Downers
Grove South) doubled with two outs. First baseman Shelby Neill
(Manitou Beach, Mich./Lenawee Christian) then belted her first home
run of the season to make the score 5-0.
Harkins bunted for a hit with one out the bottom of the fourth
inning, stole second, advanced to third on a groundout, and then
scored on a double by Rainey. An error allowed senior third baseman
Mallory Norton (Chicago, Ill./Resurrection) to reach second base
and Rainey to score the second run of the inning. Freshman
designated player Nikki Miller (Starkville, Miss./Starkville
Academy) singled up the middle to score Norton and Andresen
followed with her fourth home run of the season.
While game two had a lopsided final score, Lake Forest's lead was
just 1-0 after three innings of play. Sophomore Cami Daun
(Sheboygan, Wis./Sheboygan North) pitched held the Prairie Fire
scoreless on just one hit in the first three frames but
back-to-back doubles to start the fourth inning put runners on
second and third. Freshman Molly Thomsen (Rumford, R.I./St. Mary
Academy) relieved Daun and the next two batters hit ground balls
back to the pitcher. The second comebacker ended the inning when
the runner on third base tried to score but Neill's throw from
first was in time for the out. Daun earned her first victory of the
season and Thomsen her first career save.
Harkins scored the Foresters' first run of the game in the bottom
of the third inning. She had an infield single and immediately took
second when she saw that that the base was uncovered. She later
scored on a two-out single by Norton.
After escaping the top of the fourth without allowing a run, the
home team plated five in the bottom of the frame. Andresen walked
and scored on Neill's second home run of the day and season. Base
hits by Pfund and Pinsonneault were followed by another bunt single
by Harkins to load the bases. Pfund and Pinsonneault scored on a
throwing error by Knox and Harkins came home on a fielder's choice
groundout by Rainey.
The Prairie Fire scored an unearned run in the top of the fifth.
Freshman Mary Glowacz (Chicago, Ill./William H. Taft) reached on an
error to lead off the bottom of the frame, stole second, advanced
to third on an infield single by Neill, and scored on a wild pitch.
Pfund drew a walk in the inning and scored, along with Neill, on a
game-ending home run by freshman Aubrey Pendegraft (Creston,
Iowa/Creston). It was the first round-tripper of her career.
The Foresters are scheduled to host a doubleheader against Grinnell
College tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. Live
Stats will be available on the Lake
Forest College Athletics Web site.
May 13, 2010
Megan Harkins Named Forester Athlete of the Week
April 29, 2010
Jordan Ratliff Repeats as Forester Athlete of the Week
April 25, 2010
Foresters Sweep Grinnell to Finish 12-1 in Conference Play
April 22, 2010
Jordan Ratliff Named Forester Athlete of the Week
April 17, 2010
Lake Forest Wins 7-1 and 5-2 at Illinois College
April 15, 2010
Tracy Rainey Named Forester Athlete of the Week
April 14, 2010
Foresters Fall Twice to Visiting Wheaton College
March 30, 2010
Jordan Ratliff Named Midwest Conference Pitcher of the Week
March 30, 2010
Lake Forest Wins the Opener, Ties Game Two at Chicago
March 18, 2010
Mallory Norton Named Forester Athlete of the Week
March 10, 2010
Lake Forest Splits Two More Games in Florida on Wednesday
