The Hillsdale College baseball team showcased its resilience on Friday afternoon, bouncing back from its worst loss of the season in the first game to take down G-MAC leader Findlay and split a critical doubleheader at home.

Not much went right for the Chargers in the series opener, as Hillsdale fell behind 12-0 in the first two innings and gave up innings of 7, 5 and 7 runs to allow the Oilers to run away with a 21-2 victory.

Will Lehman did his best to keep the Chargers competitive at the plate, going 2 for 3 with a double and a solo home run in the bottom of the second, while Aaron Jasiak added a double and a stolen base on the way to Hillsdale's second run in the bottom of the fifth. Gaard Swenson was 2 for 3 as well.

Brenden Smith (3-5) took the loss for the Chargers in the first game, and Collin Lange, Nate Albanese and Collin Tobin all pitched in relief. Hillsdale struggled with control in the loss, walking 12 batters and hitting six more with pitches.

Hillsdale shook off the dispiriting loss quickly and came back strong in the nightcap, jumping on the Oilers early with five runs in the bottom of the first inning and holding on the rest of the way for an important 5-3 victory.

The Chargers already led 2-0 before Findlay recorded their first out. Swenson took a hit by pitch and Rocco Tenuta walked to bring up Lehman, who stayed hot with a RBI single to right center. Carson Tucker followed with another RBI single for the Chargers, and Ryan Wiehe later added a single to right field to beat the Oilers' defensive shift as well and give the Chargers a 3-0 lead. Hillsdale piled on the hurt, taking advantage of two Findlay errors in the inning to plate two more runs and take a 5-0 lead after 1.

Hillsdale added just two hits from that point on but did an excellent job of protecting its lead. Jacob Pallo (4-3) pitched five strong innings with four strikeouts, one walk and just three earned runs conceded before giving way to closer Josh Novak, who pitched the final two scoreless giving up just one hit and one baserunner with two strikeouts for his fourth save of the season. Hillsdale played error-free ball behind its two pitchers, with Swenson in centerfield, Tyler Turner in right field and Aaron Jasiak at shortstop all making highlight-reel worthy defensive plays to protect the lead.

Tucker went 2 for 3 at the plate to lead Hillsdale offensively in the win. 
 
The Chargers are now 18-20 overall, 12-10 in the G-MAC with the victory and still in solid position in a crowded G-MAC race, a game back of Northwood and two games back of Ashland for second place in the North Division. Hillsdale has an opportunity to make a big move up the standings as it finishes up its series with Findlay on Monday, with the Oilers returning for two more games starting at 2 p.m. back in Lenda and Glenda Hill Stadium and TFO Partners Field.