Game 1 box score: Hillsdale 1, Findlay 0
Game 2 box score: Hillsdale 5, Findlay 2
A strong characteristic of this high-achieving 2016 Hillsdale College softball team has been how it has used the team concept to achieve success. It hasn't relied on one pitcher or one hitter to do the work necessary to put together the program's finest season in 25 years. Every player up and down the roster has played a part and that was evident again Saturday afternoon.
Two players who haven't started a whole lot of games between them – senior Julia Kosco and freshman Carly Gouge – were essential in helping the Chargers to a road sweep of the University of Findlay, winning by scores of 1-0 and 5-2.
The wins put Hillsdale at 24-8 overall and 19-5 in the GLIAC and clinched at least the No. 3 seed in the GLIAC Tournament.
Game one was every bit as tight as the 1-0 score would indicate. The only run scored by either team came off a double from junior outfielder Bekah Kastning, one of the GLIAC's elite hitters.
Facing Findlay's ace pitcher and the GLIAC strikeout leader Chelsea McManaway, senior Sarah Grunert drew a one-out walk, and was pinch-ran for by Gouge. Kastning then sent a shot to center field, scoring Gouge with the game's only run. Kastning was sublime once again, going 3-for-4 with two singles and a double, extending her hitting streak to 24 games.
Although Kastning's streak came to an end in the second game, she provided an RBI groundout that kept Hillsdale in control.
Grunert got her 12th win of the season in the opener, allowing just two hits. Senior Sarah Klopfer earned her third save of the season with a scoreless three-inning appearance.
Klopfer then returned for game two and maneuvered her way through seven innings, the first six of them without allowing a run. In that time, Hillsdale was able to poke away at Findlay pitching, scoring in four consecutive innings.
Gouge once again scored a run in a pinch running role, and had a stolen base.
Kosco, a senior third baseman, was 2-for-2 with a run scored and a stolen base in game two for the Chargers. She scored the game's first run, opening the third inning with a single, later scoring a double by Grunert.
Freshman Katie Kish went 2-for-3 and freshman Amanda Marra scored Gouge on a single in the fifth inning. Junior Cassie Asselta launched a line drive home run to left to help the Charger offense.
UP NEXT: Hillsdale travels to Allendale Sunday for a doubleheader against Grand Valley State, with the No. 2 seed in next weekend's GLIAC Tournament at stake.
PHOTO CREDIT: Kadie Lowery