The Hillsdale College softball team had a tough day at the plate on Saturday as it kicked off a series of contests down in Florida at the Auburndale Softball Complex as a part of the annual The Spring Games showcase.
The Chargers were outscored 19-4 and outhit 29-11 by Midwest Regional foes Ferris St. and Rockhurst, falling 7-0 to the Bulldogs in the opener and 12-4 to the Hawks in the second game.
Against Ferris St., Hillsdale surrendered a home run to the leadoff batter and fell behind 6-0 after three innings.
The Charger pitchers settled in after a tough start and gave up just one more run over the final four innings, but Hillsdale's offense couldn't capitalize on the opening to get back in the game, stranding three runners in the fifth and two in the seventh.
Jenna Cantalupo, Meghan McKeough and Erin Gordon all singled to lead the Chargers at the plate as Hillsdale stranded seven runners in the contest.
Dana Weidinger took the loss for Hillsdale, pitching two innings with one strikeout and two walks, and conceding seven hits and five earned runs.
Julia Mullins struck out one and walked one in an inning and two-thirds of relief for the Chargers, and Gordon pitched three and a third scoreless innings with two strikeouts and a walk.
In the nightcap, Hillsdale couldn't overcome a five-run second inning from Rockhurst that put the Hawks in control.
Sam Catron hit an RBI single to score Sydney San Juan and Renee Bielawa also scored on an error to cut the Rockhurst lead to 5-2 in the top of the third
That, however, was as close as the Chargers would come, as the Hawks added three runs over the next two innings and put the game away with four runs in the bottom of the sixth.
Jenna Cantalupo added another RBI in the top of the fifth, scoring Elaine Townley on a fielders choice, and Gordon added a RBI double in that inning as well for Hillsdale.
Gordon took the loss for the Chargers, pitching two and a third innings, walking two and conceding 10 hits and six earned runs.
Julia Sayles struck out two and walked two in an inning of relief for Hillsdale, and Mullins pitched two innings and walked one.
Hillsdale (1-11) is back in action quickly on Sunday at the Auburndale Softball Complex, looking to rebound with games against Upper Iowa at 10 a.m. and Post at 12:15 p.m.
Photo: Brad Monastiere