Game 1 box score - Northwood 4, Hillsdale 0
Game 2 box score - Northwood 12, Hillsdale 6
April 24, 2013 - The phrase "threaten but fail to score" can be one of the most frustrating ones in baseball or softball. The Charger softball team became all-too familiar with that phrase in the first game of Wednesday's GLIAC doubleheader.
Hillsdale outhit the host Northwood University Timberwolves 9-6, but stranded 11 runners on base in a 4-0 loss in Midland. The Chargers loaded the bases in the ffth inning and put two on in scoring position in the sixth, but were undone by heady defensive plays by the Timberwolves.
In game two, the Chargers came back from an early 5-0 deficit to tie the game 6-6 in the fifth inning, but a big seventh inning by Northwood paved the way to a 12-6 win for the home team.
The Chargers are now 10-16 overall and 10-10 in the GLIAC, and stay on the road this weekend, playing at conference leader Grand Valley State Friday and Ferris State Saturday.
Starting pitcher Sarah Grunert finished the game strong, retiring 10 of the final 11 batters she faced, but still took the loss. Only two of her four runs allowed in the game were earned, and the Chargers committed three costly errors in the field.
Grunert and senior Miriam McKay each had two hits in the first game, while Ainsley Ellison (pictured), Courtney Day, Katie Ardrey and Jenny Bals each had hits for the Chargers.
In game two, senior Taylor Schulty moved into sole possession of second place on Hillsdale College's career home runs list with a two-run shot in the fifth inning. Schulty now has 19 home runs in her career, and only trails 2012 graduate Jessica Guertin, who finished her career with 44. She went 3-for-4 with 2 RBI and two runs scored in the nightcap.
Senior Kate Hoop went 2-for-2 with a pair of runs scored in game two for Hillsdale, and Grunert went 3-for-4 with a double.