The Hillsdale College went toe-to-toe with the sixth-ranked team in the nation and the top-seeded team in the Midwest on their home field to open the NCAA Midwest Regional on Saturday, but couldn't capitalize on an early opportunity in a tight 1-0 loss to host Indianapolis.
In a game featuring two first-team All-Midwest Region pitchers, offense was at a premium, meaning whichever team could capitalize on their moment would hold a likely decisive advantage. That team was the Greyhounds, who led off the bottom of the third inning with a single, drew a walk, then got a sacrifice bunt to move the runners over to second and third. That opened the door for a sacrifice fly from Emily O'Connor to get a run home. While it was the only run UIndy would score all game, it proved to be just enough in a contest where the two teams combined for just six total hits.
The Chargers' biggest threat came in the top of the first inning, as the Chargers took advantage of an error by UIndy, a Grace Wallner single, and a walk to load the bases with two outs, but the Chargers couldn't take advantage of the runner on third to get an early lead. The Chargers also got a leadoff walk in the top of the second inning, and a leadoff single by Emma Sather in the top of the sixth, but in both cases could not manufacture the timely hit to move the runner into scoring position.
Hillsdale ace Joni Russell took the loss despite a strong game against one of the best hitting teams in the Midwest Region, striking out seven batters, walking three and giving up just four hits and one earned run in the contest.
Sather and Wallner each recorded a hit to lead the Chargers offensively.
Hillsdale (35-20) drops into the loser's bracket in the NCAA Midwest Regional but are still alive in the tournament and will have a chance to play their way back, beginning on Friday at 1:30 p.m. The Chargers will take on the loser of the Lewis/Illinois-Springfield contest taking place this afternoon in an elimination game, with the winner playing again on Friday for a spot in the championships series on Saturday.