The Hillsdale College baseball team beat Lake Erie in three out of four games April 5 – 7 at Mentor High School in Mentor, Ohio.

“It was a great team win,” senior Joe Hardenbergh said. “Pitching especially had a great run.”

Hillsdale won the first game on Friday 20-8, taking the lead early when Lake Erie walked five batters in the top of the first inning.

“Friday night was pretty rainy and snowy,” senior Danny Passinault said. “Erie couldn’t throw it in the strike zone so we blew them out.”

Hillsdale made six more runs in the top of the third inning. Junior Will Shannon and senior Jeff Landis hit home runs back to back, and freshman Rocco Tenuta hit a two-run double bringing the game to 11-0.

Shannon hit a second home run and brought three runners home in the top of the fifth, Tenuta hit a two-run single, and freshman Will Millard hit an RBI single in the top of the sixth.

Overall, Hillsdale scored 20 runs on 13 hits due to three home runs and 18 free bases from Lake Erie’s pitching mistakes. 

Junior Tommy MacLean pitched just over five innings with four strikeouts and three walks. Senior Brendan Pochmara pitched in relief, striking out one and walking two.

On Saturday, Hillsdale lost 7-9 in the bottom of the 10th after Lake Erie made three runs and walked off.

Hillsdale started strong with Hardenbergh hitting a three-run home run, and senior Jaekob Sallee and Shannon adding two RBI triples 

Lake Erie tied the game in the bottom of the eighth inning causing the extra innings, then  hit a three-run – home run, winning the game.

In Sunday’s doubleheader, the Chargers defeated the Storm 3-0 and 6-3 with the Charger’s pitching staff holding Lake Erie to three hits in both games.

Freshman starter Daniel Higdon pitched six scoreless innings, striking out eight and walking four players. Freshman Logan McLaughlin pitched a scoreless seventh inning, and the Chargers shut out Lake Erie 3-0.

In Sunday’s second game, the Chargers took the lead early and again dominated the field in pitching. 

Senior Paul Brophy led the Chargers in pitching with three strikes, four walks, and only two runs in four innings. Junior Brandon Scott pitched three innings of relief, striking out two, and only allowing two hits and one run. 

Shannon hit two doubles, Millard hit two singles, and Passinault also hit two singles.

“Our defense was really good,” Passinault said. “It was a great win.”

The Charger’s victories brought their overall score to 12-18 and G-MAC score to 7-9.

“We were able to play more complete baseball this weekend,” Hardenbergh said. “It made for a great bus ride back.”

The Charger’s next six games will be home at TFO Partners Field at Lenda and Glenda Hill Stadium.