The Hillsdale College softball team had arguably its best performance of its seven-day Spring Break trip to cap the experience in a 9-1 win over host Flagler on Thursday.
The Chargers jumped out in front early, going ahead in the top of the first inning on a two-run double down the right field line by Madison Stoner. After the Saints got a run back in the bottom of the first inning, Hillsdale tacked on three more runs in the top of the second inning, highlighted by a two-out RBI double from Sam Catron.
Hillsdale put the game away with a big sixth inning, highlighted by a two-run double from freshman Hailey Holtman and a two-run single by Emma Johnson that put the game out of reach for the Saints.
Pitcher Dana Weidinger was excellent again for the Chargers to pick up her ninth win of the season, overcoming a rocky first inning where she conceded three of the five hits she gave up in the game and the only run she allowed in the contest. After that, Weidinger was near-perfect, allowing just two more baserunners on two hits, striking out four batters and walking no one over the next five innings in a complete-game performance.
Catron and Holtman each finished with two hits, including a double, to lead Hillsdale at the plate, and Johnson finished 2 for 3 as well for the Chargers. Elaine Townley added a double as well for Hillsdale.
With the victory, Hillsdale improves to 12-10 overall after a 6-3 record on their spring break trip across four southern states. The Chargers enter G-MAC play with some momentum, having won six of their last seven games heading into their first conference doubleheader at home against Ohio Valley on Sunday, March 28.
Photo by Kasidy Carson