Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Although the Hillsdale College baseball team made things interesting in the second game, the Chargers were unable to get a win off host Lee University in a Saturday doubleheader, finishing 0-3 on the weekend against the Flames.

The Chargers were shut out 10-0 in the first game of the day, falling behind by eight runs in the first three innings and unable to break through at the plate. Augie Hutchison hit a double for the Chargers and Will Lehman, Will Millard and Jake Figman each added a single as Hillsdale was held to four hits in the contest.

Brandon Scott (0-1) took the loss for the Chargers, pitching four innings and striking out five batters, and Brenden Smith, Winston Delp and Collin Lange each made a relief appearance for Hillsdale, with Delp and Lange combining to hold Lee scoreless over three innings.

In the nightcap, Hillsdale nearly rallied from a big deficit but came up short in a 7-5 loss in a seven inning contest. The Chargers gave up five runs in the fourth inning to turn what had been a close 2-1 contest into a 7-1 deficit. Hillsdale responded with four runs in the top of the fifth, as Hillsdale loaded the bases and senior Zak Kent hit a huge two-out grand slam to cut the deficit to 7-5 and get the Chargers back in the game.

The grand slam gave Hillsdale a shot to pull ahead in the top of the seventh inning, after singles by Millard and Rocco Tenuta brought the potential go ahead run to the plate with one out. But the Chargers were unable to convert as Lee got the outs it needed to close out the victory.

Gaard Swenson added a triple to Kent's grand slam to lead Hillsdale at the plate in the second contest, and John Hunter had a single as well for the Chargers. Jacob Pallo (0-1) took the loss for Hillsdale, starting and pitching three innings, and Logan McLaughlin finished the game with two scoreless innings and three strikeouts as well. Gibson Cary also pitched an inning of relief for the Chargers.

Hillsdale (0-3) will have next weekend off to prepare for a huge three day test on Feb. 21, 22 and 23 as the Chargers play two games against nationally-ranked and defending Midwest Regional champion Indianapolis as well as a strong Lewis team in neutral site action in Marion, Illinois.

Photo by Steve George