The Lake Forest College softball team split a doubleheader with visiting Illinois College on Sunday, falling 3-0 in the opener before rallying for a 5-4 victory in game two.

In game one the Lady Blues scored a run in the top of the first inning and two more in the third.

The Foresters had a season-low three base hits and drew three walks in the contest. Their best opportunity to score came in the fourth when a pair of walks were followed up by a line drive single to right by sophomore designated player Abbie Lewis. Illinois College was able to escape the jam by throwing out a runner at the plate and the home team did not threaten again.

The visitors appeared destined to sweep the doubleheader after scoring three times in the top of the second inning of game two. Lake Forest, however, began its comeback in the third when junior shortstop Kaia Mismash singled to extend her hitting streak to 14 games. She stole second and was soon joined on the basepaths by senior catcher Kyla Chevalier, who was hit by a pitch. A double steal advanced them to second and third and back-to-back run-scoring groundouts by junior first baseman Paige Ratliff and senior right fielder Emmie Nyen made it a 3-2 game.

Illinois College scored again in the top of the fourth but the Foresters plated two more in the bottom of the frame to draw even. A base hit by senior third baseman Cadence Dempsey brought in junior second baseman Lia Taglia, who was originally called out but was ruled safe by interference. Dempsey then score herself later in the inning when Mismash stole another base and the throw went into center field.

Two straight singles by Ratliff and Nyen started the Forester fifth and consecutive sacrifice bunts by senior center fielder Brooke Swiecki and Taglia scored what proved to be the winning run.

Freshman pitcher Vanessa Buske started the game in the circle and just two of the four runs she allowed in the first four innings were earned. Classmate Ellie Adduci came on in relief in the fifth and did not allow a hit the rest of the way. A pair of walks and an error loaded the bases with Lady Blues in the top of the seventh but her only strikeout of the game ended Illinois College's comeback bid.

Lake Forest is now 14-8 overall and 6-2 in Midwest Conference play this season. Illinois College is now 20-10 overall and remains atop the league standings at 7-1 in the MWC.

The Foresters will play a non-conference doubleheader at Concordia University Chicago Wednesday at 2:30 p.m.