The Hillsdale College baseball team struggled to find answers to the powerhouse pitching and strong hitting of host Illinois-Springfield in doubleheader action on Saturday.
The Chargers dropped both games to the Prairie Stars, ranked fourth in the Midwest Region in the first NCBWA poll, 13-0 and 13-4 to fall to 4-3 overall and 0-3 against UIS this weekend.
In the first game the Chargers got just three hits against UIS starter Chad Saner and a strong stable of Prairie Stars relievers. Danny Passinault led the Chargers, going 1 for 3 at the plate with two stolen bases, and Lewis Beals and Steven Strachan each added a single as well for Hillsdale.
On the mound, David Toth (1-1) struck out eight batters and walked just two in four and a third innings of work, but couldn't hold down a red-hot Prairie Stars lineup, as UIS racked up 10 hits and nine runs to take a commanding lead.
Logan Simon pitched two and two-thirds innings of relief with two strikeouts and a walk as well for the Chargers, and Caleb Biedenharn pitched an inning of relief as well.
In the nightcap, the Chargers were able to get their bats going for the first time in the series, as sophomore Aidan Brewer hit a two-run home run, his third of the season, in the top of the fifth and Rob Zurawski added a RBI single in the same inning as well.
But once again, the Prairie Stars jumped out to a big early lead, scoring nine runs in the first three innings, and never looked back.
Cody Kanclerz went 2 for 4 at the plate to lead the Chargers offensively, Beals chipped in a triple, and Jeff Landis, Nick Stepke and Jaekob Sallee each added a single as well. Passinault also got an RBI on a sacrifice fly for Hillsdale in the top of the third inning.
Drew Olssen (1-1) took the loss, going two and a third innings for the Chargers, and Paul Brophy struck out four and walked none in three and two thirds innings of relief.
Hillsdale wraps up the weekend series on Sunday with a single game against UIS at 2 p.m. Eastern Time, looking to bounce back and take a game off the Prairie Stars before heading back home.
Photo by Gwen Buchhop