The Lake Forest College softball team began 2012 by falling 6-5 to Washington College and defeating College of Mount St. Joseph 6-4 on Monday. Forester sophomore shortstop Sam Ritsema belted a two-run home run and a two-run double in the victory.
Ritsema also had one of Lake Forest's seven base hits against Washington. Junior first baseman Nikki Miller and freshman third baseman Kassie Marsala were each 2-for-3 and drove in a run in the contest and junior second baseman Megan Harkins had a three-run double. Senior centerfielder Leslie Harshey doubled for the team's other hit.
The Foresters took the early lead with four runs in the top of the second inning. Marsala doubled in sophomore Nora Logue with the squad's first run of the season and Harkins' two-bagger cleared the bases.
Washington, however, plated four runs in the bottom of the frame to briefly take the lead.
Miller singled in senior catcher Danielle Gore in the top of the third inning to tie the score.
The Shorewomen scored what proved to be the winning run in the bottom of the fifth.
Lake Forest had multiple baserunners in the fifth and sixth innings but were unable to bring them home.
Forester junior pitcher Kelly Chesnut allowed just one run on four base hits in the final four innings. She struck out four batters and walked just one but took the loss.
Chesnut recorded the last three outs in the team's second game of the day to become just the fifth player in program history with three or more career saves. Junior Molly Thomsen matched her career-high with five strikeouts over the first six innings and she was credited with the victory.
Mount St. Joseph scored two runs in the top of the first inning.
Gore, who was 3-for-3 in the contest, drove in freshman designated player Alyssa Vechiola with the Foresters' first run on a two-out single in the first. Marsala doubled to lead off the second frame and Ritseman followed with a home run to center, giving Lake Forest a 3-2 lead.
After the Lions regained the advantage with a two-run third inning, the Foresters tied the score in the bottom of the fourth when freshman Kayla Borgra doubled with one out and later scored on an error.
Gore doubled and Miller walked to start the bottom of the fifth and were replaced on the basepaths by sophomores Sammie Zender and Clare Kavanagh. After a flyout, Ritsema doubled them in for her second career four-RBI game.
Thomsen retired the final eight batters she faced and a bunt single was all Chesmut allowed in the seventh.
Lake Forest will take on Marietta College at 9:00 (EST) tomorrow morning and Endicott at 11:00 a.m. (EST).