Tiffin University (17-9, 7-1 G-MAC) made a statement with a dominating sweep of formerly unbeaten conference opponent Hillsdale, sweeping the Chargers 11-6 and 8-0 in six innings.
In the sweep, Tiffin banged out 25 hits and scored 19 earned runs while hitting 5 home runs. They also scored runs in 7 of the 12 innings in which they hit.
In game one,
Ella Esterby got the pitching win, allowing 6 earned runs and 12 hits over 7 innings. She also helped her own cause by going 2 for 3 with a double and home run for 3 RBI.
Trailing 1-0 in the first inning and with two outs,
Jessica Miller doubled and came home on Esterby's double.
Tara Gall then singled for another run as TU took a 2-1 lead.
With the score tied 2-2 in the fourth, Gall singled to set up a huge
Molly Koesters blast to centerfield for two more runs.
TU blew the game open in the fifth with 5 runs. With two outs, three straight walks to Miller, Esterby, and
Reagan Mengerink loaded the bases. Koesters had another big single for 2 RBI. With two on,
Jadyn Bassi then launched another home run to knock out Hillsdale starter Mackenzi Maxson and push TU's lead to 9-2.
After the Chargers answered with four runs in the top of the sixth, the Dragons got their final two runs in the bottom of the frame. A McPherson single was followed by a home run by Esterby to cap the scoring.
In game two,
Lexi Key was untouchable for the Chargers as she allowed 4 hits over 6 innings with 4 strikeouts.Â
Tiffin got three runs in the opening inning. With the bases loaded after singles by
McKenna Scott and McPherson and a walk to Esterby, Gall singled for an RBI. With two outs, Koesters had another clutch single to drive in two more runs.
Singles by
Gwen McMenemy and Scott set up Miller, who smashed a 3-run home run to put TU ahead 6-0.
Tiffin ended the game in the sixth. McPherson led off with a blast to left field that made it 7-0. Miller followed with a double, Esterby reached on a walk, and Gall loaded the bases after reaching on a fielder's choice. MIller then scored on a wild pitch to end the game.
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