Game 1 box score: Walsh 6, HC 4
Game 2 box score: HC 5, Walsh 0
Freshman pitcher Danielle Stiene continued her dominance through the GLIAC Saturday afternoon.
The Cincinnati native tossed a 2-hit shutout and struck out 11 batters in the 5-0 win by the Hillsdale College softball team over Walsh University in Johnny Williams Field. The performance was much needed, since the Chargers lost a frustrating opener to the doubleheader to the Cavaliers 6-4, leaving Hillsdale at 18-18 overall and 9-9 in the GLIAC.
The Chargers remain at home Sunday, facing Malone University for a 10 a.m. doubleheader.
Stiene won her 10th game of the season while walking just one batter and not allowing a hit after the first inning. She retired 20 of the final 21 batters she faced while doing an outstanding job of locating her pitches. Stiene threw more than 80 strikes and had less than 35 balls, a terrific ratio.
Complementing Stiene's pitching was the speed and aggressive baserunning put on by Hillsdale. Senior Jessica Day, a quick, left handed slap hitter, drove in the team's second run of the game by legging out a bunt, scoring Cassie Asselta. But Day quickly advanced to second base while the defense was recovering, putting her in immediate scoring position.
Day then stole third base, and scored when no one from Walsh covered the base, suddenly giving the Chargers a 3-0 lead in the second inning.
Hillsdale added two more runs in the sixth inning in similar fashion. Junior Ainsley Ellison beat out an infield single and immediately stole second base. She advanced to third on another successful bunt single by Day. Junior Julia Kosco and junior Sarah Grunert then laid down perfect sacrifice bunts, scoring both Ellison and Day to widen Hillsdale's lead.
In game 1, Grunert moved into a tie for fifth place on the college's single season home run list, blasting her seventh of the season, a two-run shot in the fourth inning. Sophomore Bekah Kastning went 2-for-4 with a run scored and a run batted in during game 1 for the Chargers.