Senior first baseman Sally Snarski had five hits on the day, including the 100th of her Lake Forest College career, as the Forester softball team dropped the opener 5-3 before prevailing 7-3 in game two of a doubleheader at Monmouth College on Saturday.
Snarski singled in sophomore shortstop Kat Beall in the top of the first inning in game one. It was the 100th hit in her three seasons at the College, making her the 20th player in program history to reach the milestone.
Monmouth, however, pulled ahead on a grand slam in the bottom of the third.
The score remained 4-1 until the top of the sixth. Senior catcher Alex Hemmer singled to start the inning and a double by Snarski put runners on second and third. Hemmer came home on a groundout by senior third baseman Kaleigh Ambrose and freshman pinch-runner Emma Carlson scored on a base hit by senior second baseman Vasi Panos.
The Foresters were unable to complete the comeback, however, and the home team tacked on a run in the bottom of the frame.
Lake Forest put runners on second and third again in the seventh but a line drive double play abruptly ended the contest.
Both teams had five hits in the contest and Snarski was the only player on either squad with two.
The Fighting Scots pulled ahead by three runs again in game two, this time in the bottom of the second inning.
The visitors got a run back in the top of the third when Ambrose doubled and scored on another run-scoring single by Snarski.
The score was still 3-1 when the Foresters came up to bat in the top of the sixth. An error, a walk, and a single by freshman leftfielder Maria Zepeda loaded the bases and, after a fielder's choice groundout, Hemmer doubled in two runs to tie the game. Two batters later, Snarski also doubled in a pair, making the score 5-3.
Lake Forest junior pitcher doubled in an insurance run in the top of the seventh and a wild pitch later in the inning accounted for the game's final tally.
McTague struck out seven batters to help overcome nine Monmouth hits and a pair of walks. She earned her 31st career victory, moving her into sole possession of fourth place in program history in that category.
The Foresters had 11 hits in the contest, including three by Snarski and two each by Hemmer, Beall, and McTague.
The split in Lake Forest's first Midwest Conference doubleheader of the season leaves the team with an overall record of 6-9. Monmouth is now 9-5 overall and 3-1 in the league.
The Foresters will be in action again on Sunday at Illinois College. The doubleheader will begin at 1:00 p.m.