Schedule
Tiffin (8-10, 3-1 G-MAC) at Hillsdale College (5-12, 1-3 G-MAC) | 2 p.m. ET Friday, March 22 | TFO Partners Field at Lenda and Glenda Hill Stadium – Hillsdale, MI
Tiffin (8-10, 3-1 G-MAC) at Hillsdale College (5-12, 1-3 G-MAC) | 1 p.m. ET Saturday, March 23 | TFO Partners Field at Lenda and Glenda Hill Stadium – Hillsdale, MI
Tiffin (8-10, 3-1 G-MAC) at Hillsdale College (5-12, 1-3 G-MAC) | 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday, March 23 | TFO Partners Field at Lenda and Glenda Hill Stadium – Hillsdale, MI
Tiffin (8-10, 3-1 G-MAC) at Hillsdale College (5-12, 1-3 G-MAC) | 1 p.m. ET Sunday, March 24 | TFO Partners Field at Lenda and Glenda Hill Stadium – Hillsdale, MI
Grand Valley St. (8-8, 0-0 GLIAC) at Hillsdale College (5-12, 1-3 G-MAC) | 1 p.m. ET Sunday, March 24 | TFO Partners Field at Lenda and Glenda Hill Stadium – Hillsdale, MI
Links
Hillsdale Roster | Tiffin Roster | GVSU Roster | 2024 Hillsdale Stats | 2024 Tiffin Stats | 2024 GVSU Stats | G-MAC Standings | G-MAC Stats
Preview
Hillsdale's 2024 G-MAC campaign got off to a rough start at home on Saturday against visiting Findlay, but Sunday saw the Chargers adjust and improve significantly in a competitive split with the Oilers. Now, the Chargers will look to build off that final day of the weekend series and aim for a series victory this weekend against visiting Tiffin in the second of back-to-back homestands. At the conclusion of the Tiffin series, on Tuesday, the Chargers also host Grand Valley St. University for an in-region midweek contest.
Entering the third year under head coach Tom Vessella, Hillsdale is coming off a season that saw them post the most conference wins in program history with 20, as well as a top four finish in the G-MAC regular season standings and a G-MAC Tournament appearance and victory.
Tiffin is looking to rebound in 2024 after a disastrous 2023 season that saw one of the top teams in the G-MAC since joining in 2019 crash into the basement with a 16-33 overall record and an 8-24 mark in conference play. Early results in 2024 have been mixed, but the Dragons are building momentum over the last two weeks with series wins against Gannon and G-MAC newcomer Thomas More.
Throughout its time in the G-MAC, Tiffin has always been a dangerous hitting team, and that remains the case in 2024 despite both of its 2023 All-G-MAC honorees moving on. Junior outfielder Logan Swonger has been the breakout star so far, currently ranking second in the G-MAC with seven home runs and leading the Dragons with 25 RBIs. Senior catcher Isaiah Mirabal has also shown impressive pop at the plate with four home runs so far, while sophomores Adam Deitschel and Griff Cady and senior Adam Deitschel are all hitting .333 or better at the plate so far for the Dragons.
Where the season fell apart for the Dragons in 2023 was with the pitching staff, which finished 11th out of 12 teams in the G-MAC in staff ERA with 7.97. Tiffin has been better so far in 2024, with a middle of the pack mark of 6.46 ERA. The lone holdover from last year's starters, senior Noah Kandel, has 18 strikeouts and a 1-2 record in five starts. The rest of the Dragons' staff is still in flux, with several players getting a shot so far. Sophomore Patrick Dinnen, senior Ben Hubert and junior Andrew Siler have all made multiple starts so far for Tiffin.
Out of the bullpen, Andrew Fairbrother has been Tiffin's closer, with three saves so far in four appearances, but a 9.82 ERA. Francisco Olivarez, Mason Brunecz, Joey Kench and Mat Carden are all frequently deployed relievers as well for the Dragons.
GVSU, meanwhile, is coming off a 32-21 season in 2023 and is off to an 8-8 start against a challenging schedule so far that includes taking 2 of 3 from defending Midwest Regional champion UIndy and a sweep at the hands of nationally-ranked Seton Hill.
The Lakers return several top hitters at the plate with significant experience, led by three returning All-GLIAC players who currently lead GVSU in all hitting categories – seniors Connor Shuman and Kyle Nott, and junior Jonas Gulbrandsen. Infielder Nathan Logan and catcher Brendan Guciardo also earned All-GLIAC honors in 2023 and return, though both have gotten off to slower starts this year than the trio of Shuman, Nott and Gulbrandsen. Junior outfielder Ryan Dykstra is also hitting well, with four doubles and 13 RBIs.
On the mound, the Lakers return ace Nick Rutkowski and former relievers Mike Morawski and Sam Leck, who have both transitioned into starters this season, along with junior Collin Bradley, who's snagged the fourth starting spot. For a midweek contest, the Chargers are unlikely to see any of these four, which could mean a staff game for the Lakers, or a chance to get work for Owen Avery, Ayden VanEnkevort or Colby Phipps, all of who have one start under their belts so far. Top relievers for GVSU include closer Michael Riley, who has two saves on the season, along with Allan Thorington and Logan Wynalda.
The Chargers enter 2024 with significant holes to fill in the lineup, but return many of their best hitters from 2023, led by returning All-Region first baseman Will Shannon, who hit .388 with 15 doubles and 13 home runs last season.. Hillsdale also returns two of the top three home run hitters in program history in seniors Jeff Landis and Joe Hardenbergh, both of whom are off to strong starts, as well as two additional rock-solid four-year starters in centerfielder Danny Passinault and catcher Jaekob Sallee. Sallee recently earned G-MAC Player of the Week for his performance in the Cal (PA) series and has continued to hit with power so far.
Nate Waligora and Zak Kent also performed well in part-time roles in 2023 and should get more playing time this year, while a mix of returning players and a strong freshman class will compete for playing time. Already, freshmen Tyler Turner, Rocco Tenuta, and Aaron Jasiak have become lineup regulars, while junior Kaden Nowak has also carved out a significant role in the infield.
On the mound, Hillsdale is looking for more consistency from a young group that showed promise early but has been up and down over the last three weeks. Returning starter Tommy MacLean and freshman Daniel Higdon have nailed down two starting spots, while veterans Drew Olssen and Paul Brophy had quality starts at Findlay last week, and Daly Skees and Luke Miller have also been in the mix for the Chargers. There's promise but continued improvement will be necessary to get the Chargers to where they need to be.
In the bullpen, Hillsdale may have found a closer in junior Andrew George, who has two saves, and a win in six appearances this season. Brandon Scott, Chad Stevens and Devin Murray are also frequently deployed bullpen arms for the Chargers.
The Chargers are 14-27 since 2010 against Tiffin, who's been a conference foe across multiple leagues for Hillsdale. Last season, however, the Chargers did sweep their way past the Dragons, taking all four contests. Against GVSU, one of the top teams in the Midwest Region most years, the Chargers are 8-58 since 2003. Hillsdale lost two midweek contests to the Lakers last season. Hillsdale's last win over GVSU came in a 14-8 home victory on April 3, 2019.
Photo by Reva Ludwig