The Hillsdale College softball team continued to have strong outings in the circle but couldn't generate enough offense against two strong opponents in losses at the hands of Minnesota Duluth and Lewis on Saturday at the Rosemont Dome Invitational.
Against the Bulldogs to open the day, sophomore Mackenzi Maxson had the best start of her career, striking out three, walking three, and limiting the 2023 NSIC Tourney Champions and NCAA Tournament team to just one earned run in an impressive start, but Duluth took advantage of four Hillsdale errors to plate three more runs and held the Chargers in check offensively in a 4-0 victory.
Against Lauren Dixon, a returning All-American pitcher for Duluth, Hillsdale struggled to generate consistent offense. Leadoff hitter Taylor Lewis had a strong day at the plate, going 3 for 4 with a double and stealing a base, but the rest of Hillsdale's lineup finished with just three hits and the Chargers couldn't string together the hits they needed to turn Lewis' hot day into runs. Hillsdale came closest to breaking through in the bottom of the sixth, as senior Hailey Holtman hit a leadoff single, and after a fielder's choice left sophomore Maggie Olaveson on first with two outs, freshman Sydney Davis singled to right field to get Olaveson to third base. It was the only time in the game the Chargers reached third but Hillsdale was unable to find the timely hit to capitalize.
In the nightcap, junior Joni Russell pitched another strong game for the Chargers, striking out four, walking three and giving up just one earned run against a strong Lewis lineup, but that one earned run off a solo home run in the fourth proved to be all the Flyers needed in a 2-0 victory. Lewis tacked on an insurance run on a sacrifice fly in the sixth, and the Chargers were stymied by Lewis ace Delaney Garden, who held Hillsdale to just four hits and gave up no walks in the victory.
The Chargers made good contact but couldn't break through an error-free Lewis defense that made all the plays behind Garden to preserve the shutout. Hillsdale's best scoring chance came in the top of the fifth, as senior Grace Wallner hit a single to center field with one out and was moved over into scoring position by Emma Sather, but the hit to bring her home proved elusive for the Chargers.
McKenna Eichholz, Hannah Hoverman and Olaveson each added a hit for Hillsdale as well in the loss.
Hillsdale falls to 3-4 on the season and plays one more game in the Dome Invitational with a Sunday morning contest against Truman State. The Chargers will look to get the bats going against the Bulldogs and finish on a high note ahead of a trip to Springfield, Illinois for another invitational next weekend.
Photo by Isabella Sheehan