SUNDAY RECAP
Box score: Truman 4, Hillsdale 0
The Chargers finished up a challenging weekend trip to Nashville with a 4-0 loss at the hands of Truman State Sunday afternoon.
Senior Ainsley Ellison had the lone hit in the game for Hillsdale, who experimented with a different lineup in its last game before GLIAC play begins March 25.
After the 2-2 record on the weekend, the Chargers stand at 5-3 through the non-conference part of its schedule.
SATURDAY RECAP
Box score: #3 Indianapolis 2, Hillsdale 0
As losses go, there was no shame in the Chargers' 2-0 defeat at the hands of No. 3-ranked University of Indianapolis Saturday afternoon.
Senior pitcher Sarah Klopfer did a terrific job of pitching out of jams throughout the contest. She shut out the high-powered Greyhounds in six of the game's seven innings, and got out of one inning when UIndy loaded the bases with no outs. Klopfer's clutch pitching was complemented by some terrific defense at all corners by Hillsdale. That combination of pitching and defense would win a lot of games, against a different opposing pitcher.
Hillsdale didn't record a hit against Division II's best pitcher, Morgan Foley. Freshman Amanda Marra drew two walks and freshman Katie Kish also reached base via walk.
Indianapolis is the highest-ranked team the Chargers have played during the coaching tenure of Joe Abraham (2012-present).
Box score – Hillsdale 3, Huntington 1
In Saturday's second game, senior Sarah Grunert delivered a strong pitching performance, allowing just one earned run in six innings of work, improving to 4-0 on the season. Klopfer tossed a perfect seventh to earn the save.
Junior Bekah Kastning was 2-for-3 with a double, two runs scored and a run batted in. Sophomore Kelsey Gockman also brought home a run, and Cassie Asselta had a double. Freshman Katie Kish scored a run and picked up a single. The Chargers improved to 5-2 on the season with the win.
FRIDAY RECAP
Box score: Hillsdale 13, Trevecca Nazarene 3 (5 inn.)
Junior outfielder Bekah Kastning hit for the three hardest parts of the cycle Friday afternoon as the Charger softball team put together an impressive win over regional foe Trevecca Nazarene in Nashville, Tennessee.
Kastning had a two-run home run, a triple and a double as part of a 3-for-4, 4 RBI game as Hillsdale whipped the Trojans 13-3 in a game halted after five innings due to the NCAA's mercy rule.
Trevecca is a member of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, and in two years' time, will be a conference rival of Hillsdale's. But for now, the Chargers were content to pick up another regional victory on the road.
Hillsdale (4-1) exploded for five runs in the first inning to jump on the Trojans quickly. Senior Danielle Garceau blasted a bases-loaded double to score three, and sophomore Haley Lawrence crushed her first home run of the season, a two-run shot, to get the team going.
Kastning's two-run shot helped counter a three-run first by the Trojans, and gave Hillsdale a 7-3 lead in the second inning.
Hillsdale scored once each in the third and fourth innings before plating four more in the fifth. Senior pitcher Sarah Grunert doubled home senior Ainsley Ellison and freshman Katie Kish, and Cassie Asselta and Kastning each drove home runs in the last frame of the game.
Grunert picked up the win, recovering nicely to throw four shutout innings. She struck out two and surrendered just one earned run.
Kish was 3-for-4 with 2 runs scored while Grunert was 2-for-4 in the victory. Lawrence's home run was the second of her career, the first coming in her collegiate debut last season.