The Hope College baseball team earned a split to open the season, defeating Wittenberg 5-4 in Game 1 on Friday in Winter Haven, Fla., and then lost the nightcap 1-0.

The Flying Dutchmen return to action on Saturday, March 15, when they play Anderson (Ind.) in a doubleheader.

In Game 1, junior pitcher Currey Thomas of Grandville (Grandville HS) went the distance. He scattered eight hits and two earned runs over seven innings. Thomas struck out six and walked two.

Hope snapped a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the fourth inning. Eric Dawson hit a two-out, RBI single down the left-field line that plated sophomore second baseman Brady VanderWeele of Kalamazoo (Parchment HS).

The Flying Dutchmen tacked on an insurance run in the sixth to push their lead to 5-3. Senior centerfielder Tim Bodine of Gurnee, Ill. (Warren Township HS) singled to lead off the inning, moved to third on consecutive groundouts, then scored on a passed ball.

In Game 2, Hope lost despite a six strong innings from sophomore pitcher Austin Goodyke of Grandville (Calvin Christian HS). He allowed six hits and one run while striking out three and not walking a batter. 

The Flying Dutchmen outhit Wittenberg 8-6 but left 10 on base. Sophomore Luke Brower of Holland (Holland Christian HS) had two hits for Hope.