The second game of home GLIAC doubleheaders have been unkind to the Charger softball team.
For the third time this season, Hillsdale lost in the second game in walk-off fashion Saturday, when Northwood University rallied from an early 3-0 deficit to upend the host Chargers 4-3. The comeback ruined what could have been an impressive sweep by Hillsdale, especially after its 6-4 win in game one.
Hillsdale is now 11-14 overall and 4-10 in the GLIAC, and is scheduled to host Lake Superior State at home Sunday afternoon, first pitch set for noon.
In the opener, sophomore outfielder Ainsley Ellison stroked a two-out, two-run double that proved to be the difference in Hillsdale's 6-4 win. With the score tied in the bottom of the fifth, Ellison reached out and crushed a ball that scored freshman Kelli Eddie and junior Kate Ardrey with the game-deciding runs.
Starting pitcher Sarah Klopfer took control from there, winning her fourth game of the season and second decision in a row. She shut out the hard-hitting Timberwolves over the game's final four innings to pick up the win.
Sophomore Sarah Grunert has been the team's hottest hitter of late, and she hammered two doubles to go along with one run batted in. Freshman Jessica Knepper has been just as hot, and delivered two run-scoring singles in the contest.
Ardrey had a double among her two hits, but made some terrific plays in the field from her spot at second base. She showed good range and quickness, and her athletic ability on defense turned a number of potential hits into outs.
Hillsdale jumped on Northwood in the second inning of game two, scoring three quick runs to take an early lead. Sophomore Julia Kosco singled to deep short, allowing junior Melissa Felkey to score the game's first run. Grunert drew a bases-loaded walk, and Knepper followed with a soft line drive to the outfield, putting the Chargers up 3-0.
Northwood didn't score until the fifth inning, but it picked up one in the fifth, two in the sixth on a home run, and the deciding run in the seventh to wrap up the split.
Eight players in Hillsdale's lineup had hits, as the Chargers outhit the Timberwolves 11-7 in the second game. Ellison and freshman Bekah Kastning each had two hits, while Kosco and Jessie Fox each had a hit and a run scored.