Game 1 box score: Hillsdale 4, Tiffin 1
Game 2 box score: Hillsdale 3, Tiffin 2
Amanda Marra was six years away from being born the last time the Hillsdale College softball team started 5-1 or better in conference play. And it was Marra's clutch hit Tuesday afternoon that enabled the Chargers to make that historic start a reality.
Marra hit a two-out, two-run double in the bottom of the sixth inning that proved to be the difference in a 3-2 win over the host Tiffin University Dragons in a GLIAC doubleheader in Ohio. Behind a sterling pitching performance from senior Sarah Grunert, Hillsdale won game 1 4-1 over the Dragons.
The Chargers are now 10-4 overall and 5-1 in conference play.
Marra's big hit was set up by patient and timely play by her teammates in the bottom of the sixth. Freshman Katie Kish and Grunert drew walks, followed by a single by junior Bekah Kastning, loading the bases. Junior Cassie Asselta grounded out to short, bringing home Kish to put the Chargers down 2-1.
Marra then doubled home Kastning and pinch runner Carly Gouge to give Hillsdale its first lead of game 2.
Senior pitcher Sarah Klopfer tossed a perfect seventh inning to clinch the doubleheader sweep. Klopfer allowed one earned run, didn't walk anyone and struck out two in picking up her third consecutive win.
In game 1, Asselta was unstoppable at the plate, going 4-for-4 with two doubles, two runs scored and one driven in in the Chargers' 4-1 win over the Dragons.
Once again, late-inning batting heroics made the difference for Hillsdale. With the teams tied 1-1 in the fifth, Asselta's second double of the game brought home Kastning with the go-ahead run.
In the top of the seventh, still holding that 2-1, sophomore Kelsey Gockman capped a great day at the plate with a two-run single, scoring Asselta and Kastning to give Hillsdale some breathing room.
Grunert won her sixth game of the season by tossing a four-hit, no-earned run seven-inning gem. She walked just one batter, improving to 6-1 on the season. Gockman went 3-for-4 with a career-high 3 RBI, and sophomore Haley Lawrence was 2-for-4. Kastning scored twice in the opener.
This is the first time Hillsdale has swept Tiffin in a road doubleheader since the Dragons joined the GLIAC prior to the 2009 season.
UP NEXT: Hillsdale heads to Canton, Ohio this weekend for games against Walsh Saturday and Malone Sunday.
PHOTO CREDIT: Kadie Lowery