Schedule
Hillsdale College (20-25, 14-14 G-MAC at Walsh (24-19, 15-13 G-MAC) | 1 p.m. ET Thursday, May 2 | Biery Stadium – North Canton, Ohio
Hillsdale College (20-25, 14-14 G-MAC at Walsh (24-19, 15-13 G-MAC) | 4 p.m. ET Thursday, May 2 | Biery Stadium – North Canton, Ohio
Hillsdale College (20-25, 14-14 G-MAC at Walsh (24-19, 15-13 G-MAC) | 12 p.m. ET Friday, May 3 | Biery Stadium – North Canton, Ohio
Hillsdale College (20-25, 14-14 G-MAC at Walsh (24-19, 15-13 G-MAC) | 3 p.m. ET Friday, May 3 | Biery Stadium – North Canton, Ohio
Links
Hillsdale Roster | Walsh Roster | 2024 Hillsdale Stats | 2024 Walsh Stats | G-MAC Standings | G-MAC Stats
Preview
It all comes down to the final weekend for the Hillsdale College baseball team, as the Chargers look to qualify for the G-MAC Tournament for the third time in four seasons. Hillsdale is currently in the eighth and final spot, a game and a half up on Kentucky Wesleyan, and a game back of Tiffin, Ohio Dominican and Walsh who are all currently tied for fifth.
Hillsdale travels to take on the Cavaliers, with a split with Walsh in the final four game series giving them good odds of making it in, and a series victory or sweep locking them in and giving them a chance to finish as high as fifth in the standings.
The well-rounded Cavaliers won't make it easy for the Chargers to lock up their spot. Walsh is batting a respectable .305 in conference play and their pitching staff has put up decent numbers overall, but has been struggling a bit in G-MAC play, with just the 10th-best ERA in conference games at 7.21.
Walsh's offense relies heavily on its power bats in the middle of the order to put up runs. Junior infielder Cam Hollobaugh is among the G-MAC leaders in hitting with eight doubles, 13 home runs and a team high 48 RBIs, while Benny Hymes IV has eight bombs and Jax Miller has six home runs as well. The Cavaliers have few holes in the lineup, with seven players batting .289 or better, allowing them to generate a fair number of RBI opportunities for their big hitters.
The Cavaliers have talent on the mound as well. Walsh as a solid front-line starter in senior Nick Lallathin, who's 5-3 with a respectable 4.10 ERA, while Alex Beyerle is also 3-0 in 10 starts for the Cavaliers. Two freshmen -- Chad Harper and Martin Polonkay – round out the rotation, with Harper impressing with a 2.97 ERA overall despite a 2-3 record. Walsh isn't afraid to go to its bullpen early and often, with four players having recorded a save, led by Zach Thompson, who has four and a 2-1 record in 14 appearances. Todd Bangston has pitched in 19 games with two saves as well, and Noah Sample, Brandon Cahill and Eric Bennett have all made double-digit appearances on the season in relief for the Cavaliers.
Walsh has plenty of incentive as well this weekend as seeding is still very much up for grabs, and nothing is sewn up yet for the Cavaliers, who could still drop out of the tourney if they get swept.
Hillsdale has been on a furious rally over the last few weeks to try and claw their way back into the G-MAC Tourney, led by an all-time season from junior first baseman Will Shannon. Shannon is hitting .434 with a 1.375 OPS, 14 doubles, 14 home runs and 49 RBIs in a performance that could earn him G-MAC Player of the Year honors. He's been getting strong support at the plate from a determined senior class, including Jaekob Sallee, who's batting .312 with nine doubles and seven home runs in his best season to date, as well as Joe Hardenbergh, who has 10 doubles, seven home runs and 34 RBIs, and Jeff Landis, who has nine doubles, eight home runs and 36 RBIs. Senior Danny Passinault has been playing lights out defense in center field and performing well at the plate as well.
Along with this veteran core a strong freshman class also has made its presence felt. Rocco Tenuta, Aaron Jasiak, Will Millard and Tyler Turner have all become regular players for the Chargers, while junior Zak Kent has also performed well in an expanded role.
On the mound, the Chargers are trending up after a rough start to the season, with veterans taking charge. Senior Drew Olssen was the G-MAC Pitcher of the Week this week and leads Hillsdale's starters with a 3.33 ERA, while fellow senior Paul Brophy is 5-1 in seven starts and senior Tommy MacLean has been a workhorse with some key wins as well. Junior Brandon Scott has been the fourth starter the last two weeks and has been solid for the Chargers as well.
In the bullpen, Hillsdale has gotten the job done by committee. Junior Andrew George has emerged as an important arm with three saves in 13 appearances, and redshirt freshman Logan McLaughlin has two saves in 10 appearances as well. Veterans Chad Stevens and Devin Murray are important parts of Hillsdale's pitching depth as well.
Hillsdale is 15-13 all-time against Walsh since 2013, including 6-5 in contests at Walsh. The two teams split at Hillsdale last year, and Walsh took three of four games against the Chargers in 2021, though Hillsdale got revenge in the G-MAC Tournament in a 9-7 victory that year.
Photo by Steve George