The Hillsdale College softball team battled to a split with visiting Findlay in the first of two extremely consequential G-MAC softball doubleheaders at Johnny Williams Field this weekend.

Behind another strong outing from ace pitcher Joni Russell, Hillsdale won a pitcher's duel 1-0 over the Oilers in the opener. Russell had to work hard for the shutout against a dangerous Findlay offense, allowing at least one baserunner in every inning, but worked her way out of jams with power pitching every single time. The senior struck out 14 Findlay batters, ending 4 of the seven innings with strikeouts with Oilers runners on base. That included back-to-back strikeouts in the top of the seventh with the bases loaded to clinch the victory.

Hillsdale, meanwhile, struggled to crack Findlay's ace, Kayla Dykin, at the plate, but were ready to pounce on the Oilers' lone fielding error in the bottom of the second. Junior Maggie Olaveson led off the inning with a single, stole second, reached third on Findlay's error and then took home on a first and third play as the runner at first base, Hannah Hoverman, created a jam to get Olaveson home safely for the winning run and the only run in the contest.

The Chargers had chances to extend the lead, putting runners in scoring position in the third, fourth and sixth innings, but were unable to cash in at the plate. The one run they did score, however, was just enough with Russell spinning a gem in the circle to get the victory.

Olaveson and Hoverman each led Hillsdale with two hits in the win, and Taylor Lewis added a double for the Chargers.

In the nightcap, Hillsdale struck first and rallied to tie the game after a big inning for Findlay in the fourth, but a second four-run inning in the sixth was too much for the Chargers to overcome in an 8-4 loss.

After holding the Oilers scoreless and hitless for the first three innings, the Chargers pulled ahead in the bottom of the third, stringing together three hits in a row before Olaveson drove in Sydney Davis and Lewis with a single down the left field line.

Findlay struck back in the top of the fourth, as an error gave the Oilers their first run and an extra out and Findlay took advantage, following up with three straight hits to score three more runs and take a 4-2 lead.

Hillsdale didn't stay down for long. After a leadoff single by Olivia Liguori to open the bottom of the fourth, Ashley Strick blasted a two-run home run over the centerfield fence to the the game back up at four runs apiece. 

That left the game in the balance for the next team to piece together a good inning, and unfortunately for the Chargers, it was Findlay who caught fire in the top of the sixth, plating four runs on five hits to pull ahead 8-4. Hillsdale tried to rally one more time, getting a baserunner on in the sixth, but couldn't answer the bell a second time.

Mackenzi Maxson (4-6) took the loss in relief for Hillsdale, pitching two and a third innings, and Anistyn Foster was the starter, going three and two-thirds with three strikeouts and three walks. Grace Harris finished the game for the Chargers in the circle, pitching the final inning.

Strick's home run and Olaveson's two-run single were the highlights for the Chargers offensively, as well as a double by Taylor Lewis to help set up Olaveson's RBI hit.

Hillsdale (17-12, 3-1 G-MAC) has another huge contest tomorrow at noon, as the Chargers host G-MAC leader Tiffin for a doubleheader. The Dragons have yet to lose in conference play, and Hillsdale can't afford to fall too far behind this early if they want to be a factor in the league title race late.

Photo by Emma Purdy