The Forester softball team defeated visiting Elmhurst University 5-2 and 7-5 on Sunday.
Both Lake Forest starting pitchers performed well, allowing just two earned runs in six-and-two-thirds innings of work. Sophomore Hannah Smith scattered seven base hits and the Bluejays stranded eight baserunners in the opener. Classmate Ailee Pederson surrendered just three hits and struck out a career-high 10 batters in game two. They improved to 6-1 and 2-3 on the year, respectively.
Elmhurst took an early lead with a run in each of the first two innings of game one.
Forester junior second baseman Angelle Bills singled in a run in the bottom of the second and the home team pulled ahead with three in the third. Freshman catcher Kyla Chevalier delivered the big blow, a two-run double that made the score 3-2. She scored for the third time in the game on a base hit up the middle by senior right fielder Elena Chrisman to complete the rally.
Lake Forest used some aggressive baserunning to plate the fifth run. After sophomore pinch-runner Julia McMullen stole second, freshman center fielder Emmie Nyen laid down a bunt that was fielder by the pitcher, who had to hold onto the ball as the second baseman was late to cover first. McMullen drew the entire infield's attention by rounding third and, after the shortstop took a few steps in her direction, Nyen broke for a suddenly open second base. The shortstop tried to return to second and field the throw to get Nyen but was late, as was her throw to the catched as McMullen raced home.
Elmhurst got the tying run to the plate in the top of the seventh by Forester sophomore pitcher Brooke Challe induced a popout to earn her second save of the season.
Chevalier and junior designated player Teagan Delarwelle each had two base hits and Chevalier added a pair of stolen bases in the contest.
The Bluejays led 2-0 again in game two before an RBI single by Delarwelle in the second and run-scoring double by freshman third baseman Cadence Dempsey in the third tied the score.
Elmhurst regained the lead with a tally in the top of the fourth but Lake Forest jumped ahead with a four-run fifth. Dempsey singled in the tying run stole second, advanced to third on a groundout, and beat the throw home on another ground ball from Chevalier. Chevalier then stole her fourth base of the doubleheader and scored on a single by freshman left fielder Brooke Sweicke. Sweicke took second on the throw home and came in herself on another base hit by Chrisman.
Chevalier drove in her fourth run of the day on a single in the bottom of the sixth, making the score 7-3.
The Bluejays used a couple of infield singles, a blooper to right, and a double down the left field line to put the tying run on second with one out in the seventh. Pederson, who pitched the first six innings, came back in to retire the next two hitters and preserve the victory.
Lake Forest is now 10-6 and Elmhurst 7-8 on the season.
The Foresters will begin Midwest Conference play against Knox College at home next Friday.
