The Hillsdale College softball team wrapped up a big road weekend with a doubleheader split at Kentucky Wesleyan on Sunday.
The Chargers dominated the first game, scoring eight straight runs to start the contest in a 12-3 victory over the Panthers.
Senior Madison Stoner got the scoring started for Hillsdale with a RBI single to centerfield in the top of the first, then the Chargers took advantage of multiple KWC errors in the top of the fourth to plate six runs. Freshman Hailey Holtman, senior Sam Catron, and junior Elaine Townley each chipped in a RBI double to help Hillsdale take an 8-0 lead.
Stoner and Holtman each added another RBI single later in the game and Reagan Gensiejewski and Natalie Stepanenko each chipped in a RBI single as well in the sixth inning as part of a 15-hit contest for the Chargers.
Stepanenko went 4 for 5 at the plate with a double to lead Hillsdale, and Renee Bielawa went 3 for 5 as well.
Senior Dana Weidinger picked up her 15th win of the season on the mound, pitching all six innings with three strikeouts and four walks for the Chargers.
In the second game, Hillsdale struggled to find the same groove at the plate, finishing with just six hits, but took advantage of a hit by pitch with the bases loaded in the top of the second inning and an error that allowed Emma Johnson to score in the top of the fourth to build a 2-0 lead.
The Panthers got a run back in the bottom of the fourth, then pulled ahead for good in the bottom of the sixth with four runs to seal a 5-2 victory.
Johnson went 2 for 3 with a triple to lead the Chargers at the plate in the second game, and Townley finished with two hits as well.
Freshman Erin Kapteyn took the loss for Hillsdale, going five and two-thirds innings with two strikeouts and one walk. Julia Sayles pitched a third of an inning of relief as well for the Chargers.
Hillsdale is now 23-13 overall and 11-3 in G-MAC play. The Chargers are tied with Trevecca Nazarene atop the league, with four more games completed, and two games ahead of third-place Ohio Dominican. Weather permitting, the Chargers next look to host Ohio Valley on Tuesday for a conference doubleheader, then wrap up the week with a trip to Ursuline on Saturday, April 24.
Photo by Kasidy Carson