Charger softball went 2-3 over the weekend at the Lewis Dome Invite in Rosemont, Illinois. The Chargers now have an overall record of 6-7.

 The Chargers beat the Minnesota State University-Moorhead Dragons 7-5 and lost to the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs 7-4 on Feb. 21. They then fell to the Bemidji State University Beavers 9-1, playing only six innings, on Saturday. On Sunday, they beat the Roosevelt University Lakers 5-1 and lost to the Truman State University Bulldogs 12-0, playing only five innings. 

Typically the Lewis Dome Invite is a rough weekend for the Chargers, according to head coach Kyle Gross. 

“Our struggles have continued there,” Gross said. “With the miscues and things like that, unfortunately, the theme for a lot of the years that we’ve been there continued.”

Senior pitcher Joni Russell returned to normal play last weekend after recovering from a shoulder injury. She was named Great Midwest Athletic Conference Softball Athlete of the Week. 

“Playing again was like a breath of fresh air,” Russell said. “There was a time last fall where we thought I wouldn’t be back for the season, so every inning I get to pitch is truly a blessing.”

Gross said that, though the Chargers made it on base, they were unable to capitalize and bring their runners home. 

“In most of the games, we put a lot of runners on this weekend, even in the games that we lost by a lot of runs and just couldn’t score,” Gross said. “We didn’t execute or hit very well with two outs and those games will be lost.”

Hillsdale softball next plays in Florida over spring break. They will play a total of 10 games in Clermont, Lakeland, and Daytona Beach March 9-15. 

Junior Mackenzi Maxson said she is looking forward to the games in Florida and the opportunity for the team to train with a focus.

“Everyone on our team is athletic,” Maxson said. “So if we’re able to tap all the way into that during these next two weeks and reach our athletic potential, we’ll have all parts of the game under control and working for us.”

Gross said he is excited to play in Florida and will be working on the team’s defensive skills in the time leading up to these games. 

“We are committed to getting back to a more solid defense,” Gross said. “You know, every game can’t be a one-hitter. Our pitcher is striking out 10, so our defense has just got to get a little stronger.”