The Lake Forest College softball team was defeated 4-2 and eliminated from the Midwest Conference Tournament by host Illinois College on Saturday.
The Foresters took the early lead as freshman third baseman Cadence Dempsey raced home on a throwing error by the Lady Blues' second baseman in the bottom of the first inning. Dempsey had reached on an error, stole second, and advanced to third on an infield single by sophomore second baseman Kelly Collins, who extended her season-ending hit streak to a dozen games.
Illinois College, however, rallied for three runs in the top of the second and led the rest of the way.
Lake Forest pulled to within one on a wild pitch in the fourth. Freshman catcher Kyla Chevalier drew a leadoff walk and went to second on a base hit by junior designated player Teagan Delarwelle. A wild pitch advanced both runners and Chevalier never stopped, trying to sneak home with the catcher taking a while to come up with the ball. The throw to the pitcher covering home was in time but the ball came loose on the tag and the score was 3-2.
The Lady Blue regained their two-run lead in the top of the fifth and the Foresters were unable to complete the comeback.
Sophomore pitcher Hannah Smith went the distance for Lake Forest and finished the season with a 12-5 record.
Collins led the team with a .404 batting average this spring and Chevalier and Dempsey were next at .393 and .386, respectively.
After splitting two games at the double-elimination tournament on Friday and falling on Saturday, the Foresters finished the season with a record fo 26-14-1. Illinois College advances to the championship round at 25-15-1.
