| Lake Forest College Sports Information
March 9, 2004 Contact: Mike Wajerski, SID Foresters Start 2004 With 3-2 Mark at "Smash Hit"
Freshman Erin Watts (Evergreen Park, IL/Evergreen Park) put her name in the books early with a two-run home run to left center in the third inning against S.C.A.D. The hosts pulled to within one run in the top of the fourth, but junior Alissa Mildebrath's (Carol Stream, IL/West Chicago) fifth inning single to center field knocked in Hannah Starck (Aurora, IL/Aurora West), giving Leigh Anne Furgerson (Carmel, IN/Westfield) her first win of the year. Later in the day, Eckerd took a 7-0 lead into the top of the fifth inning before Lake Forest could muster up a run. Sophomore Ashley Closson (Murphysboro, IL/Murphysboro) doubled to center field and advanced home on subsequent passed balls to score the Foresters' only run of the game. Closson took the loss for the Foresters despite striking out five batters in seven innings of play. Runs came early and often versus Wesleyan on Monday (March 8). The Pioneers scored two runs in the top of the first, but Lake Forest answered in the bottom of the inning with seven runs on three errors by Wesleyan. Leading the Foresters was Mildebrath with two hits (1 single, 1 double) in three at-bats. The Foresters' offensive attack included a season-high four steals while giving freshman pitcher Mackenzie Knowling (Lafayette, IN/McCutcheon) her first career victory. Junior Kristen Feeney (Brookfield, IL/Lyons Township) sparked Lake Forest's offense against Bethany College with two hits, including a double to left center in the bottom of the fourth to put Lake Forest on the scoreboard. Feeney extended her hitting streak to four games in a 3-2 losing effort. The Foresters held on to win 5-3 over Ithaca in their final contest of the tournament with help from Melissa Wegner (Chicago, IL/Lane Tech). Wegner hit the team's first triple of the season to knock in two runs. Kris Edland (Carol Stream, IL/Glenbard North) came back for more in the second inning with a lead off home run to center field. Furgerson earned her second win over Ithaca as well as all-tournament honors along with Feeney and Closson. Feeney had six hits in fourteen at-bats during the tournament while Closson went four for ten (2 doubles). Feeney added a stolen base in the effort. Lake Forest will resume play March 12-14 at the NFCA Division III Leadoff Classic (LaGrange, GA). The Foresters will face East Texas Baptist University and Muhlenberg College on Friday and complete pool play against Bridgewater State College on Saturday. Their second opponent on Saturday and two Sunday foes are yet to be determined. By Tiffany Rudak Box Scores:
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