A six-run fourth inning proved to be fatal for the Hillsdale College softball team Wednesday afternoon.
Illinois-Springfield pushed six runs across in what would eventually become a 7-3 decision over the Chargers in Clermont, Florida. Hillsdale fell to 7-10 overall with the loss.
The game got off to the best start possible, as senior Bekah Kastning crushed a leadoff home run in the top of the first inning to give the Chargers a 1-0 lead. The reigning GLIAC Player of the Week was 2-for-4 in the game, keeping her overall batting average above the .500 mark.
But from there, Hillsdale was shut out over the next five innings, and the Prarie Stars scored once in the third, then six times in the fourth to break the game open.
Hillsdale rallied for two runs in the seventh, but it would not be enough to complete a comeback.
Junior Haley Lawrence was 2-for-3, and Katie Kish, Kelsey Gockman and Amanda Marra each picked up hits for the Chargers.