In their home opener, the Hillsdale College baseball team bounced back from a tough weekend series against the Malone University Pioneers with an 8-2 victory over the Albion College Britons last night. After dropping three of four to the Pioneers in their first GLIAC series of the year, the Chargers are now 6-14 overall.
The win over Albion came on the backs of eight different Hillsdale pitchers, who combined to allow only seven hits and two runs while striking out four.
The Hillsdale offensive effort was led by a pair of third inning home runs by juniors Connor Bartlett and Chris McDonald.
The win came at a crucial time, as the Chargers looked to avenge themselves after a tough weekend.
“Of course going 1-3 was frustrating. You play every game to win,” head coach Eric Theisen said. “But stretched thin like we are personnel wise, and for how many mistakes we made, it says a lot about the team to be in all of the games this weekend.”
The weekend series against Malone opened up on Saturday afternoon as the Chargers fell to the Pioneers 7-4.
Despite scoring the games’ first run in the top of the first after a leadoff triple by junior Luke Ortel, the Chargers were forced to play catchup the rest of the day as the Pioneers put up four runs in the bottom of the first.
Hillsdale struck again in the top of the second for a run despite recording zero hits in the inning. Malone topped the Chargers once again by scoring two in the bottom of the second.
After Malone tacked on another run in the fourth, Hillsdale made a late comeback effort in the sixth, scoring two runs on a double by Bartlett. The comeback fell short as the Chargers failed to score in the seventh.
Senior Shane Armstrong threw a complete game for Hillsdale, striking out nine.
The night cap proved more successful for the Chargers as they topped Malone 4-2. Hillsdale’s four runs came as a result of hits by seven separate Chargers.
Hillsdale was able to overcome four errors thanks to a stellar performance on the mound by junior Lucas Hamelink, who allowed six hits over eight innings while striking out five. Senior Dan Pochmara picked up the save, striking out two in the ninth.
“Lucas was efficient, effective, and competitive,” assistant coach Gordon Theisen said. “His performance really helped us to victory.”
The Chargers returned to Thurman Munson Stadium on Sunday where they lost the first half of the double header 3-1.
Both young pitchers went the distance in the contest, with Hillsdale freshman Will Kruse allowing three runs, two earned, on five hits while striking out four. This performance was topped only by Malone freshman Josh Hurford who gave up one earned run on three hits while striking out eight.
“I had good location on my fastball and was able to get some tail in on some guys and get some ground balls,” Kruse said. “Then the guys just played real solid defensively. It’s always good when the guys behind you are helping you out.”
The Chargers’ lone run came on a sacrifice fly by freshman Alex Walts which allowed senior Sean Bennett to score.
The final game of the series went to the Pioneers 5-1 as the Chargers struggled to figure out Malone freshman Cody Ballay who gave up only one earned run on two hits over seven innings.
Hillsdale was able to stain Ballay’s performance in the second when senior Nolan Breymaier doubled to left, scoring junior Chris McDonald.
Despite their slow start to conference play, morale remains high in the Chargers dugout.
“The guys know we need to clean it up and start winning,” Theisen said, “but we certainly don’t feel that we’re at a point where there is any cause for major concern. There are plenty of teams in the same boat as we are.”
The Chargers are looking ahead to this weekend when they host the Wayne State Warriors for doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday.
“It’ll be nice for myself and the guys to not have to pack our bags and hop on a bus this weekend, that’s for sure,” Theisen said.