The Collegian

Issue date: 3/27/08 Section: Sports

In their first conference games yesterday, the Hillsdale College baseball squad almost took two from nationally ranked Grand Valley State University.

Although the Chargers dropped game one in extra innings, 7-6, they won 6-5 in game two. The split puts the Charger at 6-7 on the season, 1-1 in the GLIAC.

The Chargers were down in both games, but two home runs by senior Dan Fodell, and a strong performance by pitcher Scott Monterastelli, a junior, lifted the Chargers to a win in game two.

"They're happy, but they realize we could have won two instead of splitting," said assistant coach Andy Lovell.

Recent snowfall postponed games - including four at home against Saginaw Valley State University and one against Siena Heights University.

Hillsdale must wait until April 9 to play their first home game, unless this weekend's games against the University of Findlay are switched from away.

"We haven't been on our field once this season," said head coach Paul Noce. He said they put the tarp on the field Thursday before the snow hit, but it came in heavy enough to prevent removal of the tarp later.

The Charger returned to campus with a 5-6 record after a spring break trip to Florida.

The Chargers went 3-4 in Florida, and lost catcher Alex Kidman to a broken hand, but continue to hang close in most games thanks in part to solid pitching, early hitting and defensive work by freshman Adam Connell, coaches said this week.

"The games we lost, they were all close games. We just didn't come up with the hits we needed," senior Brandon Hubbard said.

"Our pitching is our strength, we just need to generate more runs," Noce said.

Junior Nate Chucta said the team could have been 5-1 instead of 3-4 on the trip.

"It could have been a different story," Chucta said, adding that one game was lost on a walk-off home run, and the team still expects a strong season.

Lovell said Hillsdale hitters weren't as effective at scoring baserunners during the second trip.

"I think we probably got that bad stuff out of our system, at least I hope," Lovell said.

He said the team could benefit from a "killer instinct" when it jumps out to early leads.

Lovell said the staff can improve by concentrating on getting opposing leadoff hitters out each inning. He said about 42 percent of those hitters got on base during the trip. Lovell also said the pitching staff hit too many batters: nine in seven games.

Continued...

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