The Lake Forest College softball team continued play at the Rebel Spring Games on Wednesday. The Foresters fell 1-0 to the United States Coast Guard Academy before coming back for a 7-6 victory over Greensboro College. Freshman second baseman Sam Ritsema had two base hits, including a grand slam, in the victory.
Ritsema's third-inning home run was actually the first hit of the day for the Foresters. Greensboro was leading 4-0 before two walks and a dropped third strike loaded the bases. Ritsema then cleared the fence for the second time this season.
After Greensboro regained the lead with two runs in the top of the fourth, Lake Forest got one back in the bottom of the inning. Junior outfielder Leslie Harshey drew a leadoff walk and later scored on a double by sophomore shortstop Megan Harkins.
Neither team scored again until the bottom of the seventh inning. Junior catcher Danielle Gore led off the frame with a single and Ritsema followed with her second base hit of the contest. Sophomore first baseman Nikki Miller executed a sacrifice bunt. Harshey singled in the tying run and Ritsema came home with the game-winner as Runge's sharply-hit ground ball bounced past the Pride second baseman.
Junior pitcher Cami Daun picked up the victory after allowing just a single and a walk in three scoreless innings of relief.
Pitching was the story when Lake Forest faced 14th-ranked Coast Guard earlier in the afternoon. Forester sophomore Kelly Chesnut held the Bears without a hit until the bottom of the sixth inning. Coast Guard used a leadoff double and two-out single to plate the only run of the game. Bear All-American pitcher Heyley Feindel tossed a one-hitter earlier in the day and her seventh career no-hitter against the Foresters.
Lake Forest is now 2-4 on the season while Coast Guard is undefeated in six contests.
The Foresters will face Ursinus College tomorrow morning at 9:00 and Thomas More College at 11:00.
