“Coming out of it 3-1, we will take it,” head coach Eric Theisen said. “It was a long week with a lot of games.”
After the week’s three wins, the Chargers are now 20-10 on the season, tying the most wins the program has had in a single season since 2003 — with still a month remaining.
The Chargers started the show early in Tuesday’s front end, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI single from junior Ethan Wiskur and a two-run double by designated hitter sophomore Alex Walts.
Sophomore Hillsdale starter Will Kruse was outstanding on the mound, recording his fifth win on the season by throwing six innings in which he allowed no runs on three hits while striking out three batters.
Hillsdale’s offense fell silent until the bottom of the fifth inning, when the Chargers exploded for six more runs, stretching their lead to 9-0. Senior centerfielder Luke Ortel and Wiskur both homered in the inning, with the final run coming on a Northwood error.
Northwood struck for three runs in the top of the seventh, but Wiskur added to his already hefty contribution by coming onto the mound to record the final three outs of the game.
Game two on Tuesday proved to be exciting for an entirely different reason.
After the Timberwolves scored first in the top of the first inning, the Chargers responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the second thanks to a solo shot from senior rightfielder Connor Bartlett.
The seniors continued to flex their muscles the very next inning, when the Chargers added two more runs on a two-run homer from senior third baseman Chris McDonald to push their lead to 3-1.
After allowing an unearned run in the first, Hillsdale senior starter Jacob Gardner settled into a groove, and didn’t allow another for the next five innings. Gardner ended the day with an impressive line, hurling 6 1/3 innings, while allowing three runs — two earned — on four hits.
Seniors Evan Chalker, Mitchell Gatt, and McDonald — who was credited with the win — combined to shutout Northwood over the next 1 2/3 innings, sending the Chargers to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning with the score knotted at 3-3.
Hillsdale took advantage of the opportunity when, after pinch-hit singles from freshmen Jacob Hoover and Chris Ackerman, Ortel delivered a walk-off double down the rightfield line, capping off a 5-for-7 performance on the day. Ortel was rewarded with an ice-cold shower from a Gatorade bucket.
The Chargers had a new foe yesterday, when they returned to Simpson field for a doubleheader against Findlay.
Game one saw the Oilers score two runs in the top of the first inning, followed by three Charger runs in the bottom half, with RBIs coming from Ortel, Wiskur, and McDonald.
The game ended in a lopsided 17-3 Findlay victory, despite Findlay only out-hitting the Chargers 14-13.
“The first game was the first game,” Theisen said. “The game will humble you every once in awhile, remind you that you can’t go out and beat anyone with your eyes closed. We were over that one as soon as the last out was made.”
The main storyline of game two was Hoover, who was informed that he would be starting only twenty minutes prior to gametime. Hoover — who is not even listed as a pitcher on the roster — threw 4 2/3 innings, allowing two runs — one earned — on five hits.
Hoover said that after he got some jitters out in first inning, he really settled in.
“You have to know your going to go in and be successful, because any doubt you have can impair your play,” Hoover said. “Any time I can give the team a chance to win, you can bet I’ll do it.”
The offense took the chance to win that Hoover offered them, scoring eight runs over the final three innings.
McDonald was a large part of the offensive success, gathering 3 RBIs in the game. With these RBIs McDonald became the all-time RBI leader in program history.
“The RBI record is special to me because it means I have been able to do my job in helping us win games,” McDonald said. “The guys that hit ahead of me in the order have done an incredible job getting on base and allowing me the opportunities to get RBIs.”
The bullpen was once again fantastic, combining to throw 4 1/3 innings, while allowing only one earned run.
The Chargers will host Ashland this weekend with doubleheaders on both Saturday and Sunday, before heading to Findlay next Wednesday for a doubleheader.
