Game 1 box score: Hillsdale 6, Florida Southern 2
Game 2 box score: Florida Southern 5, Hillsdale 2
One concern the Hillsdale College softball team has had through the first part of its trip through Florida was its offensive production. However, after generating 21 hits in a Tuesday night doubleheader, that concern could be turning into a strength.
The Charger bats were hot in a doubleheader split with Florida Southern College in Lakeland. Hillsdale won game one 6-2 before dropping game two 5-2. The split leaves the Chargers with a 4-9 record on the season.
Amanda Marra and Madison Stoner each came up with some timely hits in the first game to pave the way to victory. Marra had a two-run single in the third to put her team ahead for good. Stoner stepped up with a bases loaded, two-out single that scored two key insurance runs in the seventh inning to give winning pitcher Natalie Walters a comfortable cushion to work with.
Walters pitched 2.1 innings in getting the win in relief. She struck out three and didn't walk anyone in an effective performance. She finished up a strong start by freshman pitcher Camryn Olson, who went 4.2 innings with two strikeouts and just two runs allowed.
Stoner was 2-for-4 with 2 RBI while Natalie Stepanenko was 2-for-3 with a run scored. Emma Johnson and Katie Kish each had a hit and a run scored.
Game two saw the Chargers bang out 13 hits, outhitting the Moccasins 13-7. However, Hillsdale committed four errors in the field, a difficult aspect to overcome against a talented team.
Anna Dixon and Johnson played well in the nightcap, each going 2-for-3 with a run scored while Stepanenko had another multi-hit game. Jessica Taylor and Natalie Walters each went 2-for-4 for Hillsdale in game two. Pitchers Dana Weidinger and Walters allowed no earned runs in the loss.
PHOTO: Victoria Addis