The Hillsdale softball team left Florida above .500 after going 8-4, and junior pitcher Erin Kapteyn was named G-MAC softball pitcher of the week after throwing her first career no-hitter.

“We came back against Embry-Riddle — which was probably one of the tougher teams we faced — and won 4-3,” head coach Kyle Gross said. “That was the first time we beat them in school history.”

Kapteyn threw the no-hitter against the Queens College Knights in the first game as well as two shutouts later in the week.

Sophomore pitcher Joni Russell said the second game against Florida Southern was close, with freshman outfielder Emma Sather being a key player in the game. 

“There was a hit out to center field and she made a perfect throw to get the out at home plate, preventing a run from scoring,” Russell said. “She also was a speedster on the bases — as usual — and scored on a hit to the first baseman, who couldn’t field it because it had so much spin. That extra run was great with it being such a close game.”

Other key plays include Emma Vis’ home run and Taylor Lewis’ RBIs to score critical runs in multiple games, freshman utility player Maggie Olaveson said.  

​​According to Gross, there were a couple of additional games the team could have won. 

“We lost to Le Moyne in eight innings, and maybe should have won that one,” Gross said. “We also played down to some competition a couple of times.”

The teams in Florida were competitive and well matched, freshman utility player Taylor Lewis said. 

“Some of the teams were stronger than others, but overall we played good competition,” Lewis said.

Due to injuries, the roster is down, so those on the field got a significant amount of playing time, Gross said. 

“Overall we got great experience and came away with a winning record,” Gross said.

Lewis said the team needs to continue to rely on one another and play for one another moving forward.

“This mindset motivates us and reminds us to play for the girl next to us,” Lewis said. “When we are playing for one another, our energy is higher and we are all having more fun.” 

The Chargers’ record moves up to 13-12 on the season. They begin conference play at home this weekend, March 25-26, against Ashland University and Tiffin University.