After two tough losses on Sunday put the Hillsdale College baseball team in a difficult spot on the road against G-MAC foe Findlay, the Chargers responded in a big way on Monday, pounding out 25 runs to roll to two victories and force the Oilers to split the series.
The Chargers set the tone for the day early in Game 1 as senior James Krick, making his first start of the season in the field, blasted a grand slam in the top of the first inning to give the Chargers a big early edge. Findlay used a three-run blast of their own to cut into Hillsdale's lead in the bottom of the third inning, but Hillsdale gave itself some breathing room with a two-run home run by Lewis Beals in the top of the fifth, then shut the door in the top of the seventh by plating five runs, including a bases-clearing double by junior Cooper Peterson, to clinch an 11-3 victory.
Will Gifford picked up his third win of the season for the Chargers with a strong outing, going five innings, striking out two and giving up just three hits in the victory. Zane Barnhart pitched two scoreless, hitless innings of relief for Hillsdale as well, striking out three of the seven batters he faced.
Hillsdale played even better offensively in the second game, scoring 14 runs on 14 hits to take a 14-6 win to close out the series. Beals came through big once again early for the Chargers, hitting his second home run of the day in the top of the first to give Hillsdale a 2-0 lead, and the Chargers tacked on two more runs in the second, including a RBI single from Cody Kanclerz.
Findlay battled back to plate five runs in the third and take a 5-4 lead, then tied the game at 6 all in the bottom of the fifth after Hillsdale briefly retook the lead in the top of the fourth on RBI singles by Jeff Landis and Joe Hardenbergh.
The Chargers finally seized control for good in the top of the sixth, plating six runs. Nick Stepke hit a two-run double, Sean Nemetz added a two-run single, and Hardenbergh chipped in a second RBI hit on the day as part of the offensive fireworks for the Chargers in the sixth.
Hillsdale tacked on two more runs in the seventh to put the game out of reach, as Landis hit a solo home run and Stepke drove in a run on another double as well for the Chargers. Six Hillsdale players finished with multiple hits in the victory, including first baseman Trey Haeger, while Kanclerz swiped three bases for the Chargers.
Nate Waligora picked up his second win of the season in relief for Hillsdale, striking out three and walking two in three innings of work, relieving Devin Murray, who struck out four and walked tow in three innings as well. Relievers Chad Stevens, Caleb Biedenharn and James Krick combined to pitch three scoreless innings, striking out six and giving up just one hit, to help the Chargers close out the victory.
Hillsdale is now 8-10 overall, 2-2 in G-MAC play. The Chargers hope to continue to play good baseball as it plays at home this weekend for the first time in a four-game series against G-MAC foe Ashland, with the first game in the series scheduled for 3 p.m. on Friday, March 18.
Photo Courtesy of Findlay Athletics