The Hillsdale College softball team kicked off its annual Spring Break trip with a strong defensive performance against host Queens (N.C.) in Charlotte on Friday, but couldn't string the runs needed together in two narrow losses.
The Chargers outhit the Royals 7-3 in the first game, but a solo home run by Queens in the second inning was all the offense the Royals needed in a 1-0 victory.
Emma Johnson and Natalie Stepanenko each went 2 for 4 to lead the Chargers, but Hillsdale stranded 10 baserunners and couldn't find the timely hit it needed with runners in scoring position to pull out the victory.
Senior Dana Weidinger was the hard-luck loser for Hillsdale on the mound, striking out eight and allowing just five baserunners and one earned run in another strong complete game performance.
Hillsdale jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning of the second game on a double by Elaine Townley that scored Stepanenko and Johnson, but Queens answered with a home run in the bottom of the inning to cut the Charger lead to 2-1, and scored two runs late to clinch a second victory on the day.
Stepanenko was again 2 for 4 to lead Hillsdale at the plate, and freshman Erin Kapteyn took the loss in relief, pitching two innings and striking out two and walking two. Camryn Olson got the start for the Chargers, striking out one, walking two and giving up four hits and two earned runs in four innings on the mound.
Hillsdale (6-9) will look to regroup on Sunday with two games in Georgia against Augusta University, beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern.
Photo by Camryn Olson