Despite a strong game from the top two players in its batting order, the Hillsdale College baseball team couldn't hold up against an offensive onslaught by 19th-ranked Grand Valley State in a 20-2 defeat to kick off a four-game series on Friday.

Sophomore Gaard Swenson and junior Rocco Tenuta went a combined 5 for 6 at the plate to set the table for the Chargers, but GVSU pounded 17 hits to Hillsdale's seven. The Lakers jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the top of the third inning and never let up from there, continuing to add runs in each of the next three innings to pull away.

Trailing 3-0 after the top of the first, Swenson and Tenuta each hit a single in the bottom of the inning to start the game for the Chargers, who were the designated home team in a neutral site contest at Mountain Dew Park in Marion, Illinois, but Hillsdale went down in order behind them to end the threat.

The next time the duo made a plate appearance, the Chargers scored their only runs of the game. With one out in the bottom of the third, Swenson hit a triple to get into scoring position, and was driven home on a two-run home run by Tenuta to cut the deficit to 6-2. Unfortunately, GVSU answered right back with two more runs in the top of the fourth and continued to build from there.

Billy Porotsky hit a late inning double and Carson Tucker added a pinch hit single at the plate for the Chargers. Jacob Pallo (0-2) took the loss for the Chargers, pitching four and two-thirds innings, with Nate Albanese and Collin Tobin appearing in relief for Hillsdale. 

Hillsdale (3-4) will look to bounce back tomorrow as the Chargers meet the Lakers again for a doubleheader starting at noon central time in Marion, Illinois. The Chargers will be the designated away team for a nine inning and seven inning contest, before finishing the series with a nine inning game on Sunday.