Three home runs, including a grand slam by Lewis Beals, helped the Chargers snap a five game losing streak and end a weekend series with visiting Cedarville on a high note with a 7-3 victory on Saturday in the second game of a doubleheader.
Beals hit his grand slam as part of a five-run bottom of the second inning that put the Chargers ahead for good. Sophomore Joe Hardenbergh led off the inning with a solo home run, then two walks and a single by Nick Stepke loaded the bases to set the table for Beals, who crushed a ball to right center to give Hillsdale its first lead of the weekend.
Jeff Landis added a home run in the bottom of the third to extend the Chargers' lead, and Danny Passinault chipped in a RBI single in the bottom of the eighth to give Hillsdale additional insurance. The Chargers plated seven runs on just seven hits, with Passinault the only Hillsdale player finishing with multiple hits in the contest, but the Chargers had quality over quantity at the plate in the win thanks to those home runs.
Starter Tommy MacLean (2-1) pitched well for the Chargers to earn his second win of the season, striking out four, walking three and giving up three earned runs in six and two-thirds innings of work. James Krick finished off the game for the Chargers, going two and a third innings for his second career save of the season, striking out one and giving up no earned runs.
Both pitchers benefited from stellar defense by the Chargers. Although Hillsdale did commit one error, it also turned three double plays, with shortstop Aidan Brewer playing a part in all three. Two of those double plays came in the eighth and ninth innings with Cedarville pushing to get back in the game, and ended any hopes of a Yellow Jacket rally.
The Chargers came back strong after a tough 6-1 loss in the first game of the day. Landis hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth inning for Hillsdale's only run in the game, and the Chargers finished with just three hits -- Brewer and Stepke each chipped in a single as well.
Will Gifford (4-3) struck out 10 and walked just one in a solid complete game effort, but took the loss, giving up four earned runs in seven innings. A three-error inning by the Chargers in the top of the fourth broke a scoreless tie and allowed Cedarville to go up 2-0, and the Yellow Jackets tacked on three more runs in the fifth to pull away.
Hillsdale is now 14-21 overall, and 7-13 in G-MAC play. While the Chargers are down in the standings, they're not out of the race for one of the six spots in the G-MAC Tournament yet, though it will take a strong finish to get there. Next up for Hillsdale is a four-game series at home against Lake Erie beginning on Friday, April 15.
Photo by Gwen Buchhop