Schedule
Hillsdale College (5-8) at Trevecca Nazarene (4-9) | 3 p.m. ET Wednesday, March 15 | Jackson Field – Nashville, TN
Hillsdale College (5-8) at Trevecca Nazarene (4-9) | 6 p.m. ET Wednesday, March 15 | Jackson Field – Nashville, TN
Hillsdale College (5-8) at Trevecca Nazarene (4-9) | 2 p.m. ET Thursday, March 16 | Jackson Field – Nashville, TN
Hillsdale College (5-8) at Trevecca Nazarene (4-9) | 5 p.m. ET Thursday, March 16 | Jackson Field – Nashville, TN
Links
Hillsdale Roster | Trevecca Roster | Hillsdale Stats | Trevecca Stats | G-MAC Standings | G-MAC Stats
Preview
Hillsdale College prepares for the start of G-MAC play this week, but with an altered location and schedule from what was originally planned. A March snowstorm has rendered Hillsdale's field unplayable for this weekend, so instead of hosting conference foe Trevecca Nazarene, Hillsdale now will travel to Nashville to take on the Trojans in a four game series on Wednesday and Thursday.
Entering the second year under head coach Tom Vessella, Hillsdale is coming off a season that saw it just miss the G-MAC Tournament, but the Chargers will aim high this season with eight of their nine every-day hitters, their four starting pitchers and top reliever all returning from 2022.
Trevecca is always a conference title contender in the G-MAC, and is coming off a 2022 season that saw the team finish 37-15 overall and just miss a trip to the NCAA DII Midwest Regional. The Trojans are off to a rocky start at 4-9, but have played a tough schedule and are 4-2 in their last six after an 0-7 first two weeks.
The Trojans' offense has gotten off to a slow start in the absence of 2022 G-MAC Player of the Year Braden Odom, but Trevecca returns several decorated hitters with proven track records, including 2022 All-G-MAC first teamers David Milam, Roland Ryan and Logan West. Junior shortstop Josh Griffin, a JuCo transfer, currently leads Trevecca at the plate with a .385 average, seven extra-base hits and 11 RBIs, while fellow JuCo transfer and second baseman Joey Parliament is hitting .393 as well.
On the mound, Trevecca is rebuilding on paper after losing their top three starters from 2022, but the Trojans have been solid so far, with three starters with below a 3.4 ERA to start 2023. Returner Caleb Marks and converted closer Jack Keele have teamed with Dallas Baptist transfer Elijah Pleasants to give Trevecca a strong rotation. In the bullpen, Nathan McKissick, Matthew Hock and Tyler Sills are the top arms for the Trojans.
The Chargers also have a lot of continuity to build on offensively. Hillsdale returns both a consensus All-American in junior shortstop Aidan Brewer, who hit .435 with 19 doubles, 11 home runs and 50 RBIs last year, and an Academic All-American in outfielder Lewis Beals, who hit .378 with nine doubles, 14 home runs and 44 RBIs despite missing 10 games with an injury.
So far this season, Hillsdale's offense is still looking for its breakout moment. Beals leads the Chargers so far with a .375 average, three home runs and 12 RBIs, while sophomore Will Shannon is also hitting .324 for the Chargers. Senior Jeff Landis has six extra base hits and 10 RBIs so far for Hillsdale, while Aidan Brewer has been a weapon on the basepaths for the Chargers, with six stolen bases in 13 games.
On the mound, ace Will Gifford returns for the Chargers after going 6-4 with a 4.24 ERA and an impressive 67 strikeouts last season. Gifford was named G-MAC North Division Pitcher of the Week on Feb. 27 for his play in the Wayne St. series. Sophomore Tommy MacLean has a 2.66 ERA as well and is off to an excellent start for Hillsdale, while juniors Paul Brophy and Drew Olssen also have significant starting experience for the Chargers.
In the bullpen, Hillsdale has one of the G-MAC's top closers in Zane Barnhart, who recorded six saves and a team-leading 2.21 ERA while posting 14.16 strikeouts per nine innings, to head an experienced bullpen staff looking to make big improvements from 2022. Barnhart looks like one of the best relief pitchers in the G-MAC so far, earning a win and two saves in five appearances with a strikeouts per nine innings rate of 15.68, which would rank seventh best in the nation at the NCAA DII level.
Hillsdale and Trevecca Nazarene last met in a four game series in 2022 in Nashville, with the Trojans taking 3 of 4 from the Chargers. Hillsdale's lone victory came in a 9-0 shutout in the second game.