The Hillsdale College baseball team got closer and closer to a victory with each successive game in this weekend's three-game series with host and 22nd-ranked Davenport.
But although the Chargers were able to compete by the end, they weren't quite able to catch up to the Panthers, one of the top teams in the Midwest Region. A 7-6 extra-inning loss by Hillsdale in the final game on Sunday meant the Chargers were swept by a foe for the first time in the 2020 season.
In that contest, the Chargers trailed 6-3 after seven innings, but rallied with three runs in the final two innings against Davenport relievers to force extra innings.
Dante Toppi scored Sean Nemetz on a fielder's choice to spark the comeback in the eighth, and after loading the bases early in the top of the ninth, the Chargers scored two runs on a bases-loaded hit by pitch and a bases-loaded walk to tie the game at 6-all and extend the contest.
But while Hillsdale plated three runs in those two innings, it missed chances to end the contest in regulation, stranding five baserunners that could have been the go-ahead run during that stretch as well.
That left the door open for Davenport in the bottom of the 10th, and a throwing error by the Chargers that allowed the Panthers' Jacob Buchberger to get to third base with one out set up a walk-off sacrifice fly for Davenport to seal the victory.
Hillsdale outhit Davenport 12-9 in the loss, led by Rob Zurawski, who went 3 for 5 with a double and two RBIs, and Danny Passinault, who also finished 3 for 5.
Sean Nemetz and James Crick each chipped in two hits, and Nemetz, Cody Kanclerz and Joe Hardenbergh each finished with a RBI, while Toppi drove in two runs.
Josh Stella took the loss in relief for the Chargers but pitched 3 and a third scoreless innings before that to get Hillsdale to extra innings, and struck out one and walked three with no hits or earned runs surrendered during his time on the mound.
Sawyer Allen got the start and went five innings for Hillsdale, striking out two, walking three and surrendering seven hits and four earned runs, and Chad Stevens pitched an inning and a third of relief as well.
The Chargers started the day with a 13-2 loss to Davenport in seven innings in the second game of the series.
Andrew Verbrugge got off to a tough start on the mound for Hillsdale, surrendering three runs in the first inning, but settled into a quality performance, going five innings with two strikeouts, two walks and just three runs given up in the four innings following the first.
Hillsdale was able to score two runs in the second, with Hardenbergh scoring from third when Nick Stepke grounded into a double play, and Toppi also taking advantage of a wild pitch by the Panthers to score from third.
But other than the second, the Chargers were unable to get any traction offensively, scattering five hits across seven innings with no extra base knocks.
And once Verbrugge was gone after five innings, Hillsdale's relievers were unable to keep Davenport in check, surrendering seven runs in the bottom of the sixth to let the Panthers pull away.
For the first time this season, Hillsdale (3-9) were swept in a series, but got better as the weekend wore, on, and nearly took the final game against a Davenport team that looks like a GLIAC title contender.
That bodes well for the Chargers long-term, and Hillsdale will look to build off that momentum with a doubleheader against Wisconsin-Parkside for its home opener on Wednesday next.
PHOTO: Brad Monastiere