It's been a consistent theme during the Hillsdale College softball team during its Florida trip over Spring Break.
The Chargers are competitive enough to hang with tough opponents with gaudy win-loss records, and give themselves a chance to win late.
But those game-changing crunch time plays that lock down victories have proven elusive for the Chargers so far this season.
It was the case again on Wednesday night, as Hillsdale dropped a road doubleheader against a tough Florida squad, Embry-Riddle, in Daytona Beach.
After falling 6-1 in the first game, Hillsdale looked like it would be able to force a split against the Eagles, as Natalie Stepanenko hit a RBI double to score Carlin M. Gannon and give the Chargers a 2-1 lead in the top of the sixth inning.
But Hillsdale couldn't add to its lead in the top of the seventh, and in the bottom of the inning, Embry-Riddle walked off with a two-run single that secured a 3-2 Eagles win and the doubleheader sweep.
The Chargers had just six hits in Game 2 in a hotly-contested defensive battle, with Madison Stoner, Elaine Townley, Sam Catron, Victoria Addis and Kasidy Carson each chipping in a single.
Madison Rathbun also drove in a run in the sixth to help Hillsdale overcome a 1-0 deficit and take that 2-1 lead.
Julia Sayles took the loss on the mound despite a strong effort, pitching six and two-thirds innings for the Chargers, striking out two, walking five and giving up just six hits and one earned run.
In the first game, Hillsdale held Embry-Riddle to just seven hits, but the Chargers had just three hits of their own and couldn't overcome a three-run third inning for the Eagles in a 6-1 loss.
Townley went 2 for 2 at the plate to lead Hillsdale, driving in Sarah Wojcik in the top of the fifth for the Chargers' lone run.
Dana Weidinger took the loss on the mound for the Chargers, going five and two thirds innings, striking out three, walking four and giving up six hits and six earned runs.
Erin Gordon pitched in relief as well for the Chargers in Game 1, striking out one and walking one.
Hillsdale falls to 3-15, but the record doesn't do justice to the competition the Chargers have played so far, or how close Hillsdale has been in most of the games it's played.
The Chargers will see more tough opponents on Thursday next, opening with a red-hot Minnesota St. Mankato team at 10 a.m. in Florida, before taking on Pitt-Johnstown in the afternoon game.
Photo: Camryn Olson