Zane Barnhart pitched a masterful game in relief and reigning G-MAC North Division Player of the Week Danny Passinault hit a clutch go-ahead home run with two outs in the top of the sixth inning as the Hillsdale College baseball team rallied to split a doubleheader at G-MAC leader Northwood on Friday afternoon.
The 5-4 win in the second game of the day snapped the Timberwolves' winning streak at 15 straight and handed Northwood its first-ever loss as a member of the G-MAC.
The Chargers started the game in a big hole as Northwood plated four runs in the bottom of the first inning. With the Timberwolves threatening to put the game out of reach early, Hillsdale coach Tom Vessella called upon Barnhart, Hillsdale's closer, to take over, and the junior responded with one of the best pitching outings in recent Chargers memory, going the next six and one third innings with seven strikeouts, just one infield single surrendered and three total baserunners allowed against one of the top offenses in the G-MAC.
Barnhart's shutdown effort opened the door for the Chargers to make a comeback, and Hillsdale slowly clawed its way back into the game. Sophomore Will Shannon cut into the deficit with a two-run home run after Lewis Beals' leadoff walk in the top of the third inning to cut a four run deficit to two.
The Chargers pulled ahead for good in the top of the sixth. After Northwood's reliever dispatched the first two batters, second baseman Nick Stepke started the rally with a single to left field, and advanced to scoring position on a wild pitch.
Senior catcher Sean Nemetz followed with a clutch base hit to right field to score Stepke and cut Northwood's lead to 4-3. After another pitching change, Passinault blasted a home run over the right field fence to score two runs and give Hillsdale its first lead of the day.
Northwood attempted to rally in the bottom of the inning, getting its only hit off Barnhart in the contest, but the junior retired six of the final eight batters he faced, three on strikeouts, to seal his fourth win of the season. Stepke went 2 for 3 at the plate to lead the Chargers, while Paul Brophy was the starter for Hillsdale.
The victory was especially important for the Chargers after a rough outing in the first game of the series. Hillsdale fell behind 4-0 in the first inning in that contest as well, but was unable to rally, as Northwood pulled away for a 12-2 win.
Hillsdale mananged just foive hits in Game 1 against strong pitching by the Timberwolves, scoring its two runs on a pick off of Passinault at first in the top of the second inning that allowed Jaekob Sallee to score from third base, and a RBI groundout by Joe Hardenbergh that scored Will Shannon in the top of the eighth.
Shannon and Aidan Brewer each hit a double to lead the Chargers at the plate, while starter Daly Skees took the loss, pitching four innings with two strikeouts and two walks. Logan Simon, Caleb Biedenharn and Andrew George also pitched in relief for Hillsdale.
The Chargers are now 13-15 overall, 8-6 in the G-MAC, with a big opportunity tomorrow as Hillsdale faces off against Northwood for two more contests. A split with the powerhouse Timberwolves would be a huge boost for the Chargers' chances of making the season-ending G-MAC Tournament in May after missing out on the event last season.
Photo by Isabella Sheehan