Hillsdale Fall Report: Veteran Core Eyes G-MAC Title Run

The Hillsdale Chargers enter the 2026 season looking to build on a 2025 campaign that saw the program tie for the second-most wins in school history. Under the steady hand of Head Coach Tom Vessella, who enters his fifth season with 95 career wins, the Chargers posted a 26-28 overall record and a 17-15 mark in the G-MAC, good for fourth place in the North Division.

A highlight of the previous spring was another G-MAC Tournament appearance, marking the program's fourth since joining the conference in 2018 and the second under Tom Vessella. With roughly 66% of their total production returning, including 7 of 9 starting position players, the identity of this squad remains centered on playing fast and executing the "whatever it takes" mantra.

The Offense

The Hillsdale lineup remains remarkably intact, anchored by a veteran core that has grown together over the last two seasons. Tyler Sowers projects as the "spark plug" for the offense after a freshman season where he showed immense potential before an injury. In 105 ABs hit .333 with 8 doubles/3 HR and 21 RBI, and he will look to maintain that pace over a full schedule. At first base, Will Lehman provides a steady presence after starting all 54 games last year. In 199 ABs hit .286 with 12 doubles/4 HR and 40 RBI, ranking ninth in the conference for runs batted in.

He is joined in the infield by Rocco Tenuta, a Second Team All-G-MAC selection at third base known for his exuberant playing style. In 185 ABs hit .286 with 6 doubles/5 HR and 37 RBI, while ranking fifth in the conference with a disciplined 9% strikeout rate. In the outfield, Gaard Swenson returns after starting every game last season and providing consistent production. In 200 ABs hit .270 with 12 doubles/4 HR and 29 RBI. Billy Porotsky, another Second Team All-G-MAC infielder, provides further depth after hit .270 in 141 ABs with 5 doubles/1 HR and 19 RBI.

The offense also welcomes intriguing newcomers like Ryan Wiehe, a gifted catcher from Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy who was the 2025 North Coast Conference Player of the Year, and Saint Leo transfer Logan Dichler, who brings valuable defensive experience behind the dish.

The Pitching Staff

While the staff must replace its top arm, the Chargers return three out of four starters, providing a foundation of experience for the 2026 rotation. Daniel Higdon is primed for a breakout as a third-year starter after posting a 4-3 record with a 4.75 ERA in 66.1 IP last season. In the bullpen, Hillsdale will rely on "all-everything" reliever Patrick MacLean, who is expected to handle long relief, setup, and closer duties. He finished 2025 with a 1-5 record with a 4.45 ERA in 32.1 IP and ranked 11th in the conference for appearances. Adding size to the staff is freshman Issac Scavarda, a 6-foot-5 right-hander from Loy Norrix High School who is already making a push for a spot in the starting rotation.

Notable Departures

The most significant loss for the Hillsdale Chargers is Brandon Scott, a standout left-hander who went 4-4 record with a 4.06 ERA in 77.2 IP and ranked in the top 10 in the conference for strikeouts and ERA. Brandon Scott has since moved into the professional ranks, signing with the Chicago Dogs of the American Association. The team also says goodbye to Augie Hutchison, who hit .304 in 168 ABs with 9 doubles/4 HR and 36 RBI, and Zak Kent, a designated hitter who hit .303 in 185 ABs with 11 doubles/6 HR and 48 RBI. These departures leave gaps in the middle of the order that the veteran returners will need to fill.

Schedule & Outlook

The Chargers kick off their 2026 campaign on January 30 with a three-game road series against the University of Montevallo, a Gulf South power that finished 2025 with 29 wins and a conference tournament championship appearance. The non-conference slate is highlighted by a neutral-site series against Grand Valley State University starting February 27; the Grand Valley State University Lakers were regional hosts last season with a stellar 43-14 record.

As the G-MAC schedule heats up, Hillsdale will face a gauntlet of regional heavyweights, including a series at Northwood University in early April. The Northwood University Timberwolves represent a major test, coming off a 40-win season and the first World Series appearance in their program's history. Key home series against the University of Findlay and Tiffin University follow in mid-April, both of whom were tournament teams last year. The regular season concludes with a road trip to Ashland University, a consistent threat that earned a Midwest Regional appearance last spring. If the Chargers can navigate this schedule and stay healthy, they are well-positioned for another deep run at the 2026 G-MAC Tournament in Mason, Ohio. If you value this in-depth, non-paywalled coverage of D2 Baseball, please consider supporting our independent reporting efforts. Your contribution helps us continue providing free access to all our articles without relying on restrictive paywalls. To support our work, please visit our Patreon page: patreon.com/diviibaseball