Foresters Sweep Doubleheader at Monmouth to Clinch Spot in MWC Tournament
Team is now 8-1 in conference play
  

Danielle Gore

Nikki Miller

Megan Harkins

Sophomore catcher/outfielder Danielle Gore (Arlington Heights, Ill./Hersey) and freshman designated player Nikki Miller (Starkville, Miss./Starkville Academy) each had four of the Foresters' 22 base hits on the day. Gore led the visitors with four runs scored and Miller with five RBI.

Lake Forest jumped out to the early lead in the opener by scoring three runs in the first inning. Gore started the rally with a one-out walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and scored two batters later on a double by senior third baseman Mallory Norton (Chicago, Ill./Resurrection). Miller then tripled in Norton and came home when the next hitter reached on an error.

Gore singled to start the third inning and later scored on a double by Miller.

After Monmouth plated two in the bottom of the fourth to cut the Lake Forest lead in half, the visitors scored two runs of the own in the top of the fifth. Gore started the rally again with a one-out single. After a pair of errors loaded the bases, Miller matched a career-high with her third base hit of the contest. Two runs scored, making Miller the fourth Forester this season to drive in four runs in a game.

The only earned run of the game allowed by Lake Forest freshman pitcher Jordan Ratliff (Petersburg, Mich./Summerfield) scored in the bottom of the sixth inning. She scattered seven base hits, struck out five batters, and did not issue a walk. Ratliff is now 8-4 with a 1.57 earned run average on the season.

Fellow freshman pitcher Molly Thomsen (Rumford, R.I./St. Mary Academy) pitched all five innings for the Foresters in game two, allowing just two runs on five hits and raising her record on the year to 5-4.

Lake Forest scored in the first inning for the 14th time this season. Freshman second baseman Megan Harkins (Homewood, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) singled to start the contest, advanced all the way to third on a sacrifice bunt by Gore, and scored on a base hit by senior shortstop Tracy Rainey (Roselle, Ill./Lake Park), who leads the Foresters with 29 runs batted in. The Scots, however, tied the score with a run of their own in the bottom of the frame.

The visitors took the lead for good with four runs in the third inning. Harkins started the inning with a single, stole a couple of bases, and scored on a base hit by Gore. Rainey walked and Norton singled in Gore. Miller's base hit plated Rainey and Norton scored on a double by senior outfielder Jeanette Andresen (Woodridge, Ill./Downers Grove South).

Both teams scored a run in the fourth inning, the Foresters when senior outfielder Sam Pinsoneault (Manchester, N.H./New Hampton), who started the frame with a single, scored from first on a one-out double by Gore.

Lake Forest scored four times in the top of the fifth inning to extend its lead to eight runs. Norton led off with her team-high sixth home run of the season and the 18th round-tripper of her career. Sophomore outfielder Leslie Harshey (Mundelein, Ill./Mundelein) singled with two outs and scored on a double by senior first baseman Shelby Neill (Manitou Beach, Mich./Lenawee Christian). Pinsonneault walked and Harkins tripled in the final two runs on the game.

Harkins had three on the team's 15 hits and Gore, Norton, Harshey, and Neill finished with two apiece.

The Foresters will play close out its league schedule with a pair of home doubleheaders next weekend (April 24-25). The team will host Knox College Saturday at 1:00 p.m. and Grinnell College at the same time on Sunday. Live Stats during all four games will be available on the Lake Forest College Athletics Web site.