The Forester softball team split a pair of National Fastpitch Coaches Association Leadoff Classic pre-tournament games in for the second straight day on Wednesday (March 10). Lake Forest fell 5-4 in eighth innings to Mount Union College in the afternoon but rebounded for a 7-0 triumph over Emerson College in the evening.

The Foresters' first game of the day was scoreless until Mount Union plated two in the top of the third inning. Lake Forest freshman Noel Harmon (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln Way Central) doubled to lead off the bottom of the frame and then scored on a base hit by senior Tracy Rainey (Roselle, Ill./Lake Park). Rainey advanced to second on the throw home and to third on a flyout before scoring on a triple by freshman Aubrey Pendegraft (Creston, Iowa/Creston).

The Purple Raiders regained the lead on a two-run homer in the top of the fifth. The Foresters came back with two in the bottom of the sixth on a home run by senior Jill Pfund (Morenci, Mich./Morenci).

Forester freshman pitcher Molly Thomsen (Rumford, R.I./St. Mary Academy) entered the game in the fifth and held Mount Union scoreless for three innings before surrendering what turned out to be the winning run in the top of the eighth.

The scoring also started in the third inning of the second game of the day when Forester senior Jeanette Andresen (Woodridge, Ill./Downers Grove South) belted her first home run of the season.

Lake Forest extended the lead in the fourth inning on a two-run homer by senior Mallory Norton (Chicago, Ill./Resurrection).

Freshman Nikki Miller (Starkville, Miss./Starkville Academy) drove in her first run as a Forester on a base hit in the top of the sixth inning and the team took advantage of a pair of seventh-inning errors to plate three in the frame.

Lake Forest freshman pitcher Kelly Chesnut (Channahon, Ill./Minooka) scattered seven hits and two walks for her first career victory, complete game, and shutout. She also struck out five batters in the contest.

The Foresters recorded nine base hits in both games. Rainey accounted for two of them against Mount Union and Norton had a pair against Emerson.

Lake Forest will begin NFCA Leadoff Classic play on Friday with games against Moravian College at 1:30 p.m. and Transylvania University at 6:30 p.m. The Foresters will also face Muskingum College at 10:30 Saturday morning and will play another game on Saturday and two more on Sunday against opponents yet to be determined.