In nonconference action against Concordia University Chicago, the Lake Forest softball team earned a decisive victory in game one, before game two was called at the end of the seventh inning in a tie.
 
Lake Forest (18-13-1, 8-2 MWC) scored eight runs in the first two innings of game one on its way to an 11-3 triumph. While the Foresters did their damage early in game one, they waited until the sixth inning of game two for its offense to click, with the game ultimately ending in a 7-7 tie.
 
Game 1: Lake Forest 11, Concordia Chicago 3 (6 innings)
Kyla Chevalier launched a first-inning grand slam, as the Foresters cruised to an 11-3 victory in six innings in game one of the doubleheader.
 
Senior Brooke Challe (4-1) earned the start in the circle for Lake Forest. Challe pitched four innings, allowing only three runs on six hits with four walks and one strikeout to earn her fourth victory of the season.
 
Despite the Cougars loading the bases in the top of the first inning, Challe induced a groundout to end the threat with no runs crossing the plate.
 
After stifling the Cougars in the top of the first, the Foresters cashed in on their opportunity in the bottom half of the inning. Kaia Mismash led of the game with an infield single, then Kelly Collins and Emmie Nyen drew walks to load the bases and set the stage for Chevalier to clear the bases.
 
For Chevalier, the long ball was her fifth of the season and first homer since April 6 against Cornell College. The junior slugger went 1-for-3 with a game-high five RBI.
 
Kaylee Purgatorio crushed a solo home run to center field, and Mismash was a constant threat with three singles, three stolen bases and a pair of runs scored.
 
Paige Ratliff plated Chevalier with an RBI single up the middle to end the game in the bottom of the sixth.
 
Game 2: Lake Forest 7, Concordia Chicago 7
Despite an epic sixth-inning rally to put the Foresters ahead, Lake Forest had to settle for a 7-7 tie against Concordia Chicago in game two.
 
After the Cougars scored a pair of runs in the top of the sixth to push their advantage to 6-1, the Lake Forest offense came alive in the bottom of the inning. The Foresters batted around, and Cheyenne Pellettiere was right in the middle of it for Lake Forest. The senior got the inning rolling with a single up the middle, then Jolie DeValk and Lia Taglia both reached to load the bases.
 
Three consecutive run-scoring singles from Nicole Marceau, Mismash, and Cadence Dempsey brought home three runs to trim the deficit to 6-5. After a Kelly Collins sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position and an Emmie Nyen walk to load the bases, Pellettiere was back at the plate to provide the critical go-ahead hit – a two-run double down the left-field line that gave Lake Forest a 7-6 lead.
 
The Cougars would answer in the top of the seventh inning with a pair of doubles to re-tie the game. The Foresters threatened in their final at-bat, loading the bases for Nyen with two outs, however the right fielder would pop out to third base to end the game in a tie.
 
Morgan Traxinger earned a no-decision as the starting pitcher for Lake Forest. The junior pitched four innings, allowing five hits and four runs (three earned) while walking and striking out a pair. She was relieved by fellow junior Riley Stiles and freshman Hanna Tutor, as the pair combined to allow six hits and three runs in their combined three innings of work.
 
Lake Forest will hold its annual Senior Day celebration in its next game on Saturday with a doubleheader at Mohr Field against Beloit College. Game one will start at 1 p.m.