Game 1 box score: HC 5, Findlay 3
Game 2 box score: Findlay 6, HC 3
For one inning Wednesday afternoon, the bats of the Hillsdale College baseball team were crackling with heat.
Michael O'Sullivan, Connor Bartlett and Ethan Wiskur each hit home runs in the third inning of the first game of the Chargers' GLIAC doubleheader with the University of Findlay at Simpson Field. The four-run barrage was enough to enable Hillsdale to earn a 5-3 win over the Oilers in the opener. Findlay came back to post a 6-3 win over the Chargers in the nightcap, putting Hillsdale's record at 9-21 overall and 3-10 in the GLIAC.
Hillsdale will host Ohio Dominican University in a four-game series this weekend starting at 1 p.m. Saturday.
For O'Sullivan, a slick-fielding infielder, it was his first career home run, a solo shot that cleared the right field fence leading off the bottom of the third inning, tying the game up at 2-2. Upon returning to the dugout, O'Sullivan got the customary initial silence from his teammates, followed by a mob of congratulatory knocks on his helmet.
Two batters later, Bartlett smacked his third home run of the season to put the Chargers on top 3-2. After a Chris McDonald single, Wiskur sent a rainbow shot over the left field fence to up the lead to 5-2. It was the first home run of the season for Wiskur, the talented sophomore pitcher/infielder.
McDonald turned in a strong performance on the mound, picking up the complete-game victory. He struck out a season-high six batters and scattered eight hits over seven innings. Junior outfielder Luke Ortel returned to his comfortable leadoff spot in the order, and went 2-for-3 for Hillsdale in the game one win.
Findlay pitcher Alexander Theiss tossed a strong game in the nightcap for the Oilers. He held Hillsdale without a hit through the first four innings of the game, and with the help of his defense, was able to limit the damage the Chargers did.
The Oilers held a 4-0 lead from the third through the sixth inning, and were able to hold the Chargers off in the nine-inning contest.
Bartlett and junior Tad Sobieszczanski each went 2-for-4 for Hillsdale in game 2, while Wiskur, McDonald and Sean Bennett each drove in runs in the defeat.