The softball season at Lawrence is in its final games, and this last weekend our softball team went to Whiting Field against Monmouth College for a Midwest Conference doubleheader. Lawrence sophomore Madeline MacLean went two for three at the plate and had a two-run homer putting the Vikings at a 2-1 lead in the first inning. Lawrence freshman Amanda Karnatz went two for four with a pair of doubles and Lawrence sophomore Sofie Pedersen was two for three for Lawrence (14-20, 5-13 MWC). Monmouth College (18-17, 10-8 MWC) came in ready to match Lawrence’s strong start with three runs in the third and five runs in the sixth inning. Kaylee Kurtz went two for four, had 4 runs and scored a pair of runs as well. In the nightcap Monmouth took the game with six runs in the second inning and Rebecca Gallis went three for four with a pair of doubles and drove in four runs for Monmouth. Karnatz went two for three with two doubles and scored both of the Vikings’ runs. Brianna Perchall allowed 5 hits and 1 run over 2.2 innings of relief for Monmouth’s win and MacLean allowed 8 hits and 2 runs over 3.1 innings for the loss. Coach Tatro said of the game, “Our team is young after we graduated six seniors in 2016. Sometimes youth translates to inconsistent play … but defense certainly was what we were most consistent in, and defense can win championships. Many young players gained some valuable experience this year and we hope it translates to improvement for next year.” In the end, Liz Hippen gave up five hits over seven innings, struck out eight times and walked once for Monmouth’s win. Lawrence freshman Emilia Jackson allowed eleven hits, struck out five times and walked five times. Monmouth took the game with a 12-3 win in the opener and one big inning for the 8-2 victory in the nightcap.