LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Cornell's softball team was two outs away from handing Midwest Conference leader Lake Forest its first league loss in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader at Mohr Field.
 
The Rams were shut out in the opener, 5-0, and then had a seven-run lead slip away in the late innings of a tough 10-9 loss in Game 2.
 
Cornell moved to 6-17 overall, 4-4 in the MWC. The Foresters (18-10 overall) remained perfect in MWC play at 10-0.
 
The Rams built an 8-1 lead through four innings in Game 2. Cornell took control with a seven-run third frame, keyed by a two-RBI hit by Miranda Keith and a three-run triple from Erin Puck.
 
The Foresters charged back and got within 9-8 heading into the bottom of the seventh. Lake Forest put runners at second and third with one out when Kaylee Purgatori finished the comeback with a game-winning triple.
 
Keith and Puck had three RBIs apiece to lead Cornell's lineup, which totaled 10 hits. Addie Bowman went 2-for-3 with a pair of runs. Marissa Faletti also scored twice.
 
Only three of Lake Forest's 10 runs were earned against pitchers Alyssa Pearson and Skylar McCartney-Puzio. Pearson gave up five runs (one earned) over 4.1 innings.
 
Pearson pitched all six innings in Game 1. The junior kept the Rams close, trailing 3-0 through five innings.
 
Olivia Richards went 2-for-3 with a double for the Rams, who were limited to four hits.
 
Cornell plays a nonconference doubleheader against Loras at 4 p.m. Wednesday in Mount Vernon.