Foresters' Season Ends with Loss to Grinnell in MWC Tourney

Foresters' Season Ends with Loss to Grinnell in MWC Tourney

After winning against Monmouth and losing to Illinois College on Saturday, Lake Forest softball dropped Game 5 of the MWC Championship Tournament to Grinnell College 9-1, ending their impressive season.

The Foresters, who were the away team in the game after a coin toss to decide the designations, were the first to score in the first inning. Senior Josie Klein hit a single in the second at bat of the game, and her fellow senior Hailey Boylan hit a double two batters later, sending Klein home. This would be the only Forester run of the game.

Lake Forest lost their lead in the bottom of the third when Grinnell scored four runs. In the bottom of the fifth, the Pioneers put up three runs before their sophomore right fielder hit a two-run home run, putting them up eight runs. It was a disappointing end to an otherwise successful season for the Foresters.

Grinnell College went onto play Illinois College in the championship game, and the Lady Blues claimed the MWC Tournament Championship and the Midwest Conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

At the conclusion of the tournament, the Conference announced various end-of-the-year awards. Lake Forest was presented their trophy for winning the Conference Title. Freshman Hannah Smith was awarded Newcomer and Pitcher of the Year, and Klein earned the Position Player of the Year Award.