Schedule
Ursuline (8-13, 0-4 G-MAC) at Hillsdale College (16-11, 4-0 G-MAC) | 1 p.m. ET Sunday, March 29 | Johnny Williams Field – Hillsdale, MI
Ursuline (8-13, 0-4 G-MAC) at Hillsdale College (16-11, 4-0 G-MAC) | 3 p.m. ET Sunday, March 29 | Johnny Williams Field – Hillsdale, MI
Cedarville (9-19, 1-3 G-MAC) at Hillsdale College (16-11, 4-0 G-MAC) | 1 p.m. ET Monday, March 30 | Johnny Williams Field – Hillsdale, MI
Cedarville (9-19, 1-3 G-MAC) at Hillsdale College (16-11, 4-0 G-MAC) | 3 p.m. ET Monday, March 30 | Johnny Williams Field – Hillsdale, MI
 
Links
Live stats & Video | Hillsdale Roster | Ursuline Roster | Cedarville Roster | Hillsdale Stats | Ursuline Stats | Cedarville Stats | G-MAC Standings | G-MAC Stats
 
Outlook
An undefeated start to conference play has Hillsdale among the G-MAC contenders once again at the top of the standings. The Chargers will aim to stay there with a four game homestand this Sunday and Monday before critical showdowns with the top two teams in the G-MAC preseason poll next weekend.

Hillsdale opens with a doubleheader against Ursuline College on Sunday. Now in her fourth season as head coach of the Arrows, former Chargers assistant Danielle L'Argent has steadily built the program up from the G-MAC basement, and, with Ursuline off to its best start since 2017 at 8-13 overall, it looks like she now has a squad capable of competing for a G-MAC Tourney berth.

Continued pitching improvements have played a big role in Ursuline's recent rise, as the Arrows have gone from the G-MAC's worst ERA by a significant margin to within striking distance of average over the last two seasons. Ursuline returns its top two pitchers from last season and both have made significant improvements in the circle, with sophomore Macy Searles cutting over a run off her ERA at 3.26 with 50 strikeouts to 19 walks, and senior Kathleen Wack boasting an improved ERA as well. Freshman Olivia Franko also has seven stars and has pitched a great deal of innings for Ursuline so far, and Bri Bowles and Renna Kelly are bullpen options.

At the plate, sophomore Heidi Earl has made the leap from a back-of-order bat to one of the team's top hitters, leading the Arrows in average (.343), extra base hits (9) and RBIs (16). Sister Holly Earl is second on the team in RBIs (14) and bats above .300 as well for Ursuline, as does veteran senior Casey Barton. Ivanney Ramriez and Destiny Ruggiero are key bats as well for the Arrows in the order.

On Monday, Cedarville comes to Hillsdale as another team looking to build towards bigger things after three straight losing seasons. While it's been a while since the Yellow Jackets finished above .500, Cedarville has never missed a G-MAC Tournament as a founding member of the conference, and will be shooting to continue that streak this season.

The Yellow Jackets profile as an interesting offensive team, as Cedarville has struggled in terms of batting average and holds the G-MAC's worst on-base percentage, but has continued to be an above-average offense thanks to strong power numbers. Cedarville's 16 home runs and nine triples rank second in the G-MAC to date, and its 40 doubles are tied for third. Freshman Anna Gorshak has been a weapon in her first collegiate season, with a .386 average, 14 extra base hits including six home runs, and 20 RBIs. Veteran junior Brynley Rung has eight extra base hits as well, while sophomore Anna Gardner and freshmen Macy Sidebottom and Anna Weathers also have strong power numbers.

In the circle, Cedarville returns its top three pitchers from last season, headlined by sophomore ace Maya Merrill, who has a 3.50 ERA and 49 strikeouts to 16 walks. Freshman Chesnie Patton has made an immediate impact as the second starter with a 4.12 ERA as well. Veterans Emma Wylie and Kara Adkins, along with freshman Madison Jones, are all options out of the bullpen as well for the Yellow Jackets.

The Chargers are in a strong position entering the weekend thanks to an offense that's among the G-MAC's best in hitting for both average and power. Hillsdale leads the G-MAC in home runs (21), a ranks second in average (.301), doubles (45) and RBIs (136). The Chargers also terrorize teams on the basepaths, with a G-MAC-leading 45 stolen bases.

A deep lineup of dangerous bats is responsible for the offensive outburst. Returning All-Region player Taylor Lewis is on a tear, with a .383 average, 10 extra base hits, 15 RBIs and 13 stolen bases for the Chargers, while sophomore Miami (OH) transfer Nathalie Hagle leads the team in extra-base hits (13) and RBIs (28). Quality hitters like Sydney Davis, Maggie Olaves, and Olivia Liguori are putting up big numbers as well for the Chargers. Five Chargers have multiple home runs on the season and six different Hillsdale players have posted double-digit RBIs to date, a testament to the threat the entire Chargers lineup poses.

Hillsdale is heavily rotating five pitchers, using the full staff to grind out victories. Senior Mackenzi Maxson has the most starts, the best ERA (3.39), the most strikeouts (29) and earned G-MAC Pitcher of the Week honors after shutting out defending national runner-up Tampa in a 1-0 game earlier in the season. Freshman Katie Jonas, sophomores Grace Harris and Anistyn Foster, and junior Gracelynn Kelly have all had moments of dominance and are real and credible options in the circle for Hillsdale. In most doubleheaders, four or all five pitchers play a role for the Chargers in getting victories.

The Chargers have had solid success against Ursuline, with an 11-4 record in 15 meetings since 2018. Hillsdale has won eight straight against the Arrows, including a sweep last season. Hillsdale is 12-6 all-time against Cedarville, including three victories over the Yellow Jackets last season in a doubleheader sweep and G-MAC Tournament win. Prior to last year's sweep, however, Hillsdale had split six straight doubleheaders with the Yellow Jackets.