Last spring, the Hillsdale College softball team went five games without a win in the Lewis Flyer Dome Invitational.

Just one game into the 2021 edition of the annual Chicagoland tournament, and the Chargers have already bettered that mark.

Hillsdale opened a five-game stretch in the Rosemont Dome with a 2-1 win over host Lewis University on Friday evening, pulling out a close victory over a quality opponent to improve to 2-3 on the year.

The Chargers did all of their damage in the top of the second inning, striking first and taking a 2-0 lead. Senior Sam Catron led off the inning with a single, reached second on a single by junior Elaine Townley, and senior Emma Johnson drove her in with a double.

Hillsdale tacked on another run in the inning as freshman Hailey Holtman drew a bases-loaded walk to score Johnson.

The Flyers were able to get a run back in the bottom of the third inning on a RBI single by Elexis Swartzentruber, but the Chargers otherwise were able to keep Lewis off the scoreboard the rest of the way to secure the victory. Hillsdale got another great outing from senior pitcher Dana Weidinger, who pitched a complete game to earn the win, scattering six hits and also finishing with four strikeouts and three walks to improve to 2-1 in the season.

Weidinger was backed by a great defensive effort by the Chargers, who were error-free in the contest with 21 put-outs.

Catron led Hillsdale at the plate, going 2 for 3 on the day, and sophomore Jenna Cantalupo and junior Kasidy Carson each chipped in a single as well.

The Chargers will look to add to their win total in the Rosemont Dome this weekend with four games on Saturday and Sunday. Hillsdale takes on Northwood at 7 p.m. ET and Ashland at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, then finishes the Invitational on Sunday with games against Grand Valley State at 11 a.m. ET and Saginaw Valley State at 3 p.m. ET.

Photo by Camryn Olson