Call them the road warriors. 

The Hillsdale College women's softball team has yet to lose as the road team in G-MAC play so far in 2025, as the Chargers capped a long road trip this week that saw them go from Cleveland to Owensboro, Kentucky with a sweep of host Kentucky Wesleyan on Sunday.

Hillsdale got a tough fight from the Panthers in the opener, having to come from behind late in a 4-2 victory. The Chargers took a lead in the top of the first after a leadoff single and a stolen base by Emma Sather got her in position to be scored from third by Taylor Lewis on a fielder's choice.

That 1-0 lead wouldn't hold up, however, as KWC struck back in the bottom of the third with two runs on three hits. A good throw from the outfield by centerfielder Emma Sather to catcher Hannah Hoverman prevented a third run from scoring and got the inning-ending out at home plate to keep the Chargers down just 2-1.

Just six outs away from defeat, Hillsdale tied the game up in the top of the sixth, taking advantage of a leadoff hit by Hannah Hoverman. Hoverman moved over to second on a KWC error and Anna Chellman got her to third with a sacrifice bunt, allowing Emma Vis to drive her home for the tying run on a sacrifice fly.

Hillsdale pulled ahead for goo in the top of the seventh. Taylor Lewis got momentum going Hillsdale's way with a two-out triple to right field, and Maggie Olaveson scored the game-winning run on a RBI single on the next at bat. Hoverman added an insurance run, scoring Olaveson on a double to left field to give Hillsdale a 4-2 edge.

KWC got a runner on with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but senior Joni Russell shut the door with her 11th strikeout of the game to end the contest. Russell (13-2) pitched all seven innings for her seventh straight complete game victory in a start, giving up one walk, five hits and two earned runs.

Hoverman led Hillsdale at the plate, going 3 for 4 with a double and a RBI, in the victory.

In the nightcap, Hillsdale pulled ahead early and rode an excellent showing from pitcher Mackenzi Maxson to a 6-0 victory. The Chargers once again wasted no time pulling ahead, as Emma Sather stole home on a first and third play in the top of the first inning to give Hillsdale a 1-0 lead.

This time, however, that lead would hold up, as the Chargers added to it with five runs over the next four innings. Emma Vis hit a RBI double and later scored on a sacrifice bunt by Ashley Strick in the top of the second to give Hillsdale a 3-0 lead. Hoverman tacked on another run with a sacrifice fly in the top of the third, and Sydney Davis drew a bases loaded walk in the top of the fifth, followed by an Ashley Strick RBI single to make it 6-0 Chargers.

In the circle, Maxson (5-6) cruised to the first complete game shutout of her career, striking out two, walking two, scattering four hits and showing total command of the contest. 

Chellman was 2 for 4 at the plate for Hillsdale, with Vis adding a double and Olaveson a triple as well.

Hillsdale is now 25-14 overall, 11-3 in conference play and in a solid position heading home. The 6-0 week on the road helped Hillsdale jump Cedarville, Ashland and Findlay in the standings to move into second place in the G-MAC, just a game back in the loss column of leader Tiffin. 

The Chargers host two dangerous teams in the top half of the G-MAC standings this coming weekend, playing Ohio Dominican on Friday and Ashland on Saturday, but Hillsdale has an opportunity to put real pressure on Tiffin in the race for the conference title if the Chargers can get two sweeps at home.