In the race for the final spots in the 2015 GLIAC Softball Tournament, the Chargers need all the wins they can get. Thanks to an upset loss Tuesday afternoon, Hillsdale will go through some drama in its effort to secure a postseason spot.
The Chargers lost to Lake Erie College for the first time since the Storm entered the conference in 2011, 4-1, in the first game of yesterday's doubleheader in Painesville, Ohio. Hillsdale bounced back thanks to two home runs in game 2, winning 6-2.
Hillsdale is now 21-19 overall and 12-10 in the GLIAC heading into the final weekend of the regular season. The Chargers host Ferris State in a huge twinbill Friday afternoon, followed by home games against Grand Valley State at 1:00 Saturday, which will also be Senior Day.
Lake Erie hit a grand slam home run in the third inning, then held the Charger offense to just three hits in the opener. Freshman pitcher Danielle Stiene struck out 9 batters in the first game, giving her 171 for the season.
All of the scoring in game 2 took place in the third inning. The Storm plated two in the top half of the inning to take a 2-0 lead. The Chargers answered with a six-spot in the bottom of the third.
Sophomore Cassie Asselta crushed a solo home run, and junior Sarah Klopfer (pictured) followed up with a three-run shot to put the Chargers back in control. Sarah Grunert and Bekah Kastning each added run-scoring hits in the frame.
Klopfer is now one win away from a career-best with her seventh win of the season in the nightcap. She struck out four batters and walked none in the complete-game win.