The Hillsdale College baseball team rallied from early deficits but couldn't get over the hump in two losses to visiting Kentucky Wesleyan on Saturday.

The Chagers fell behind 7-1 through four and a half-innings in Game 1, and trailed 6-0 after three in the second game, and despite a strong late push in both contests, Hillsdale took 7-6 and 8-3 losses.

Hillsdale responded immediately to falling behind by six runs in the first game, scoring two in the bottom of the fifth, one on a double by Danny Passinault and a fielding error on the same play. Joe Hardenbergh added a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning, and Steven Strachan III hit a two-run shot in the bottom of the ninth to cut the deficit to one run and give the Chargers a chance to walk off. Hillsdale, however, was unable to get a baserunner on after Strachan's bomb, as Kentucky Wesleyan put the Chargers down in order after the home run to secure the victory.

Aidan Brewer hit a RBI double in the second inning as well for Hillsdale, finishing with two hits, and Passinault chipped in two doubles to lead Hillsdale at the plate in the loss. James Krick went 2 for 4 as well.

Tommy MacLean took the loss for Hillsdale, striking out six, and walking two in five innings of work. Dillon Manion pitched four scoreless innings of relief for the Chargers, striking out three, walking two and giving up three hits.

In the nightcap, Kentucky Wesleyan jumped on Hillsdale early, plating five runs in the top of the first and adding another run in the top of the third. The Chargers fought back in the bottom of the sixth, loading the bases after a Jeff Landis walk and a Joe Hardenbergh single. Landis scored on a wild pitch, Stepke scored on a sacrifice fly and senior Cooper Peterson, making his return from an injury as a pinch hitter, drove a ball into left field to score a third run on a double to cut KWC's lead to 6-3.

That was as close as Hillsdale would get, however, as Kentucky Wesleyan tacked on two insurance runs in the top of the seventh and the Panthers put Hillsdale down in order in the bottom of the inning to secure the victory.

Will Gifford took the loss for Hillsdale, pitching two innings with one strikeout and one walk. James Krick finished the final five innings for the Chargers, striking out nine of the 19 batters he faced and giving up just five hits and two earned runs.

The Chargers (19-23, 11-15 G-MAC) play two more against Kentucky Wesleyan tomorrow at 1 p.m. in critical contests for Hillsdale's hopes of making the G-MAC Tournament. Hillsdale needs at least one and almost certainly two wins against the Panthers on Sunday to stay in contention for one of the six spots in the G-MAC Tourney in two weeks.