The Hillsdale College baseball team had the lead at one point in both contests at Northwood as the Chargers kicked off a four game series against the Timberwolves on Saturday, but couldn't keep it in either game in a pair of close losses, 6-3 and 7-3.
Hillsdale opened the first game of the day with a solo home run to right field by junior Will Shannon to take a 1-0 lead, and, after giving up two runs to Northwood in the second and third innings, tied the game on a RBI single by Jeff Landis in the fourth and jumped back ahead in the top of the fifth on a solo home run by Danny Passinault.
That edge was short-lived, however, as the Timberwolves responded with three runs in the bottom of the fifth to jump back ahead, 5-3. Hillsdale couldn't pay off a chance to tie with runners at second and third in the top of the sixth after a two out single by Landis and a double by Zak Kent, and also were unable to score with runners at second in the top of the seventh and the top of the ninth. Northwood tacked on a valuable insurance run in the bottom of the eighth, and the game would finish at 6-3 in favor of the Timberwolves.
Passinault was an impressive 3 for 3 at the plate with the home run to lead the Chargers, and Shannon and Landis each went 2 for 4 as well for Hillsdale, which scored three runs on 10 hits.
Tommy MacLean took the loss for the Chargers, pitching six innings with two strikeouts and two walks, and Devin Murray finished the final two innings with three strikeouts and a walk as well.
In the nightcap, Hillsdale answered a two run first inning by the Timberwolves with three in the top of the second to pull ahead. Passinault started the rally with a double down the left field line, then the Chargers got RBI singles from freshmen Will Millard and Tyler Turner and a RBI double by Rocco Tenuta to pull in front.
Once again, however, Hillsdale's lead was short-lived, as Northwood answered right back with four runs in the bottom of the second inning, taking advantage of a Hillsdale error with one out, to pull ahead for good. The Chargers laorgely held Northwood in check from there, save for a solo home run in the fourth inning, but once again failed to cash in with runners in scoring position in the third, sixth and seventh innings to close the gap and give themselves a chance late.
Millard was 2 for 3 to lead Hillsdale at the plate and Shannon added a double as well for Hillsdale in the contest.
Drew Olssen took the loss for Hillsdale, pitching four innings with six strikeouts and three walks. Logan McLaughlin finished the final two innings for the Chargers, striking out two without giving up a run.
Hillsdale is now 15-24 overall, 9-13 in the G-MAC, and finishes the weekend series tomorrow at 1 p.m. against Northwood, looking to try to salvage a split and keep themselves in the race for a spot in the G-MAC Tournament.
Photo by Steve George