The Hillsdale College softball team split two contests for the second straight day at the Lewis Dome Invitational on Saturday, winning a tight, exciting contest over Upper Iowa 4-3 and falling in another close game against Minnesota Duluth 5-2 in the nightcap.

Hillsdale had to rally from behind against the Peacocks, as Upper Iowa jumped out to a 2-0 lead on a two-run single in the top of the second inning in a contest played in the Rosemont Dome in Des Plaines, Illinois.

The Chargers were undeterred by the deficit. Hillsdale cut into the lead in the bottom of the third inning on a towering home run blast by Olivia Liguori that easily cleared the left field fence, a solo shot that left the Chargers trailing 2-1.

Hillsdale took the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth, as the Chargers took advantage of three errors by the Peacocks to plate three runs and go up 4-2. Liguori reached on an error to start the inning, then scored on a sacrifice bunt  by Taylor Lewis the Peacocks mishandled for the tying run.

Ronnie Craft put Hillsdale ahead with a RBI bunt single down the third base line, and Lewis later scored on a third Peacock error as well.

Upper Iowa refused to go away, scoring a run in the top of the sixth to cut the deficit to 4-3. Hillsdale turned a huge double play with runners at second and third to get out of the inning with the lead, then worked around a leadoff hit batter in the top of the seventh with three straight outs. Freshman first baseman Ava Stripp made an impressive diving catch on a hard-hit line drive in the infield to secure the final out and the victory.

Freshman Katie Jonas earned her first career victory for the Chargers in the circle, striking out three, walking one and giving up three earned runs in five and a third innings of work. Sophomore Anistyn Foster pitched the final inning and two-thirds for Hillsdale, giving up no hits, no runs and only one baserunner to earn the save.

In the nightcap, Hillsdale went toe-to-toe with a strong Minnesota-Duluth team, taking the Bulldogs to the seventh inning in a one run ballgame before two late insurance runs allowed Duluth to pull away for a 5-2 victory.

Hillsdale fell behind early against a hard-hitting Bulldog lineup, as Duluth scored twice in the top of the first inning and added a third run in the top of the third to take a 3-0 advantage. With runners at second and third and only one out, Hillsdale pitcher Mackenzi Maxson worked her way out of a jam to keep the Chargers in the game, and Hillsdale answered back in the bottom of the third, as Sydney Davis reached second base on a single and an error to lead off the inning and Anna Chellman hit a RBI double to right center to score Davis and get the Chargers on the board. 

Chellman later scored on a RBI groundout by Ronnie Craft to bring Hillsdale within one run, 3-2, entering the fourth inning. 

The Chargers had chances to tie up the game, but couldn't take advantage of baserunners in the fourth and fifth innings, and Duluth scored twice in the top of the seventh to put what had been a close contest out of reach late.

Maxson pitched well for the Chargers in the loss, going six and two-thirds innings with six strikeouts and three walks and giving Hillsdale a chance at pulling the upset. Gracelynn Kelly also struck out the only batter she faced in relief for Hillsdale.

Davis went 2 for 3 at the plate to lead Hillsdale offensively against Duluth.

Hillsdale is now 4-5 overall, and finishes its Chicago trip and time at the Lewis Dome Invitational with a single game tomorrow against Truman State at 9 am eastern, 8 am central time.