The Collegian

Issue date: 4/16/09 Section: Sports

Charger softball had a tough week, playing Grand Valley State University Friday, Ferris State University Saturday and Ashland University at home yesterday. Today, they will face the University of Indianapolis. Grand Valley, Ferris and Ashland are all conference teams who are currently ranked in the top five for the GLIAC.

The team lost both games to Ashland 0-1 yesterday, with Ashland scoring both their runs in the seventh innings.

Freshman Laura Homan was a starting pitcher along with senior Jamie Vandenburgh, and pitched in both games.

"I felt like I hit my spots better," Homan said. "My arm felt really good today."

Despite the losses, Homan said the team played solid defense, which kept Ashland at only one run per game.

Homan said the Chargers will continue to improve their hitting.

"We were swinging at too many bad pitches," Homan said.

Hillsdale was swept by Ferris Saturday, losing 6-0 and 9-7. Ferris currently leads the GLIAC with a record of 12-2.

Head coach Jamie Meyers said Hillsdale the second game against Ferris 5-1 in the top of the sixth inning, when Ferris started making hits. The Chargers quickly lost their lead.

"They started hitting the bal, and we couldn't keep our place," Meyers said.

Junior Devon Trimmer, who went an impressive 9-for-19 this week, said the team made several important errors on ground balls and missed dives, which contributed to their loss.

"They capitalized on our mistakes," Trimmer said. "But we didn't capitalize on theirs."

Friday, the Chargers split a double-header against Grand Valley, losing 10-3 and then picking up their game to win 6-5 during the second game.

We didn't do our job offensively the first game," Meyers said. "We played better all around the second game. It was just a complete team victory."

Today, the Chargers play the University of Indianapolis, a non-conference team that Meyers said will nonetheless be a difficult opponent.

Trimmer said the team continues to focus on basic improvements such as hitting and offense. With rainy forecasts this week and the gym reserved for Greek Week events, Trimmer said it is difficult to practice some different elements of the game.

"Fielding, defensive work is tough," Trimmer said. "So we're just gonna work on the things we can control, like mental toughness and hitting."

The team has six more conference games until the GLIAC tournament, and Meyers said those games are the most important of the season. The Chargers will next face Lake Superior State University Saturday and Northwood University Sunday, both at home.

"We want to win all the games we can so we can make it to the GLIAC tournament," Trimmer said.

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