A nine-run third inning was the difference in a loss suffered by the Hillsdale College baseball team at its 2019 home opener Tuesday afternoon.
Saginaw Valley State pushed nine runs across in the third inning in a 14-8 win over the Chargers in a non-conference game at Simpson Field. Hillsdale now stands at 7-14 on the season.
Hillsdale got off to a good start, taking leads of 2-0 and 4-2 through the first two innings. Kevin Monson and Jake Hoover stepped up with key hits in the second inning when the Chargers retook the lead.
But the Cardinals struck for nine runs, needing just five hits to get them, in the top of the third to take the lead for good. SVSU scored two runs on wild pitches and two runs on walks with the bases loaded.
Will Smith made his first collegiate start for the Chargers in left field and had a nice day at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored.
Hoover tripled as part of a 3-for-5 day with two runs scored and one batted in. Senior Steven Ring was 3-for-4 with a double, run scored and one RBI. Josh Leymaster picked up his first hit of the season, driving in Smith for a run in the eighth inning.
PHOTO: Todd Lancaster