The Hillsdale Chargers baseball team traveled over 1,400 miles over spring break in order to play 10 games against the Maryville University Saints, Alderson-Broaddus University Battlers, and Trevecca Nazarene University Trojans.
The Chargers split a four game series with Maryville, dropped two to Alderson-Broaddus, and took one of four from Trevecca to end the trip with a record of 3-7. After a short break the Chargers traveled to Lourdes University last night where they fell to the Gray Wolves, bringing Hillsdale’s overall record to 4-11.
“The numbers didn’t come out how we had hoped,” said head coach Eric Thiesen, “but it was good to get out and see some real quality competition.”
The Chargers started off the trip with a loss to the Saints last Saturday afternoon. The game started sour as the Chargers gave up ten runs in the first three innings, and a late Charger rally fell short.
Hillsdale’s offense exploded in the second game against Maryville with 15 runs as the Chargers beat the Saints 15-2.
Four of the Chargers’ runs came on home runs by juniors Luke Ortell and Tad Sobieszczanski.
Senior Shane Armstrong pitched well, giving up only one earned run over six innings on 9 hits.
Four extra inning runs gave Hillsdale the victory in the first game against Maryville on Sunday.
The late Charger runs were driven in on a pair of singles by junior Chris McDonald and junior Connor Bartlett.
The Saints edged out the Chargers 4-3 in the second game of Sunday’s doubleheader.
McDonald threw all six innings, giving up four runs, all earned, on nine hits.
Due to cancellations against Lemoyne-Owen and Union, the Chargers headed down to Nashville, where they dropped three of four against Alderson-Broaddus University.
The Chargers lost the first game 4-2 despite allowing no earned runs in the contest.
Hillsdale junior Lucas Hamelink gave up eight hits over six innings, but three Hillsdale errors allowed the Battlers to plate the four runs needed to win the game.
Sunday’s second game was close as well, but the Chargers fell to the Battlers 3-1.
The game was a pitching duel between Armstrong and Battler sophomore Randy Dobnak, but Dobnak’s gained an edge by avoiding walks, while Armstrong walked five.
“We have to stop giving up free 90s,” Armstrong said. “The team that gives up fewer free bases usually wins the game.
The Chargers played doubleheaders against Trevecca Nazarene on both Friday and Saturday, losing the first three games of the series, but winning the series finale.
Trojan senior Michael Purcell threw a gem in game one, holding the Chargers to one run on four hits over seven innings as the Chargers fell 8-1.
Despite playing a game free of fielding errors, Hillsdale lost Friday’s second game 14-5.
Even in the loss many Hillsdale players looked good at the plate. Sophomore Ethan Wiskur went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored on the game. Bartlett went 2-for-3 and scored a run.
The Chargers dropped the first game of the trip’s final doubleheader 11-1 to Trevecca Nazarene.
Hillsdale had no answer to Trevecca sophomore Bryan Smith who hurled six innings giving up only one run on five hits and eight strikeouts.
The final game of the trip allowed the Chargers to stop a six game skid as they defeated Trevecca 5-4.
“It was a big win. Especially considering the game before it,” said Thiesen. “Bouncing back says a lot about character.”
The win came on the back of Hillsdale freshman Phil Carey who threw five innings, giving up one run, which was unearned, on five hits and six strikeouts.
The game ended just after 1 a.m., and the team says that the late finish, alone with a long week, are taking a toll on the team.
“We’re exhausted. A lot of guys are banged up,” said Bartlett. “We’ve got some injuries we need to nurse before conference, so we’re taking it easy in practice today.”
In the final contest before conference play the Chargers lost to the Lourdes Gray Wolves 4-3.
Hillsdale was hurt by five fielding errors, which contributed heavily to a three-run third inning for Lourdes.
The team opens up GLIAC play this weekend when they travel to Malone for a four game set.
