The Hillsdale College softball team kicked off its Great Midwest Athletic Conference schedule with perhaps its best showing of the season to date on Saturday.
The Chargers dominated both halves of a road doubleheader at Lake Erie, rolling to 10-2 and 11-0 wins, behind excellent offensive (28 hits, three home runs) and defensive (only six hits and two runs allowed in 13 innings) performances.
Hillsdale got off to a hot start in the first game, as home runs by Madison Stoner and Sam Catron, along with a RBI double by Hailey Holtman, helped the Chargers take a 4-0 lead after three innings.
Lake Erie cut into the deficit with a two-run single in the bottom of the fifth inning, but the Chargers closed the door in the sixth and seventh innings, pounding out six runs. Renee Bielawa kicked things off with a two-run triple in the sixth inning, then added a RBI double in the seventh. Holtman chipped in a second RBI double in the seventh inning as well, and Natalie Stepanenko added a RBI single.
For the game, Stoner was a perfect 3 for 3 at the plate for the Chargers, reaching first base in every single at bat she had. Bielawa and Holtman each finished with three hits as well for the Chargers.
Dana Weidinger went the distance on the mound for the Chargers for her 10th win of the season, striking out six, walking one and conceding just three hits in seven innings of work.
Hillsdale jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning of the nightcap, then steadily added to it from there. Stoner hit a RBI single in the top of the third to tack on a run, and the Chargers added four runs in the fifth on a three-run home run by McKenna Eichholz and a RBI single by Madison Rathbun. Holtman closed out the day with another double, driving in two runs.
Stoner wrapped up a near-perfect day by going 3 for 4 to lead the Chargers in the nightcap, and Stepanenko, Holtman and Eichholz each chipped in two hits as well.
Making her third start of the season, Camryn Olson picked up her first victory of the year in a strong performance, pitching a shutout over six innings with four strikeouts, one walk and conceding just three hits.
The win ensures that Hillsdale, now 14-10 overall, will be tied atop the G-MAC standings as opening weekend draws to a close. The Chargers host Tiffin in their home opener next Saturday, April 3, at noon looking to continue a strong recent stretch of play.