The Lawrence University Softball team took two out of five games this weekend at the 2003 Midwest Conference Classic. The Vikings defeated Illinois College and Knox, but lost to Monmouth, Grinnell, and Lake Forest.On Saturday, the Vikings dropped their games to Monmouth and Grinnell. The Scots defeated LU 3-0 on the pitching of Shelly Orwig. She threw a two-hitter and shut down the usually powerful Viking offense.
The Vikings couldn’t find the hitting stroke in the second game either as Grinnell shut down the Vikings 5-0. Amy Varda gave up five runs in four innings to pick up the loss for the Vikings.
On Sunday, things looked much better for LU. The Vikings started off the day by beating Knox 6-1. Lauren Kost give up only one run in seven strong innings. Becca Reason led the Vikings by going 2-2 with a run scored.
In the second game of the day, the Vikings stayed hot, beating Illinois College 5-0. Varda pitched magnificently, giving up only one hit in seven innings. Reason had another great game, going 2-4 with two RBI’s and a run scored. Melissa Batog went 2-3 as well for LU.
In the fifth and final game, the Vikings lost 9-8 to Lake Forest after the Foresters scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to win it. The Vikings scored once in the top of the seventh to bring the game to extra frames.
All-Region shortstop Jenny Burris led the Vikings by going 4-5, with an RBI and a stolen base. The Vikings’ next action will come this weekend, as LU hosts Carroll at 1:00 p.m. at Whiting Field.