Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Hope College

Scoreboard

#BeStrongBeTrue
Lexie DeHoop's teammates greet her after hitting a grand slam at Wolters Softball Stadium.
Lynne Powe
0
The Univ. of Olivet OLIVET 1-8, 0-1 MIAA
15
Winner Hope HOPE 15-7, 1-0 MIAA
The Univ. of Olivet OLIVET
1-8, 0-1 MIAA
0
Final
15
Hope HOPE
15-7, 1-0 MIAA
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 R H E
The Univ. of Olivet OLIVET 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
Hope HOPE 2 4 5 4 X 15 13 0

W: Adams, Alaina (4-0) L: Michelle Michelin (1-3)

12
Winner Hope HOPE 16-7, 2-0 MIAA
0
The Univ. of Olivet OLIVET 1-9, 0-2 MIAA
Winner
Hope HOPE
16-7, 2-0 MIAA
12
Final
0
The Univ. of Olivet OLIVET
1-9, 0-2 MIAA
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 R H E
Hope HOPE 5 7 0 0 0 12 13 1
The Univ. of Olivet OLIVET 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 2

W: Connelly, Grace (4-1) L: Izzy Abalos (0-4)

Game Recap: Softball | | Alan Babbitt

Softball Erupts for 27 Runs in MIAA-Opening Sweep of Olivet

The Hope College softball team enjoyed a sunny home opener on Saturday.

The Flying Dutch swept the first MIAA doubleheader of the season, defeating The University of Olivet convincingly by winning twice in five innings at Wolters Softball Stadium: 15-0 in Game 1 and 12-0 in Game 2.

Under clear skies and 50-degree temperatures, Hope (16-7 overall) thrilled friends and family with an explosive offense, crisp defense and shutout pitching.

"They were excited for the home opener," first-year head coach Michelle Brander Metiva said. "That was a big day for them. There's some emotion. We've come a long way this year culturally with leadership from eight seniors. They've been through a lot. We're so proud of how resilient they've been."

In Game 1, the Flying Dutch scored in every inning and took a no-hitter into the final inning for the third consecutive game.

Zola Smith's leadoff single for the Comets thwarted Hope's bid for a third-consecutive no-hitter — despite a valiant diving attempt from rightfielder Lily Iden (Oxford, Ohio / Talawanda HS). It was the first Hope allowed in 19.1 innings.

Reliever Samantha Vermeesch (Ithaca, Michigan / Ithaca) struck out three of the final four batters the right-hander faced to end the game.

Winning pitcher Alaina Adams (Oak Creek, Wisconsin / St. Thomas More) retired all nine batters the right-hander faced. Adams is now 3-1 in the circle.

The Flying Dutch jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first on an RBI groundout from sophomore designated player Kate DeMann (Byron Center, Michigan / South Christian) and a run-scoring single from senior leftfielder Sydney Zombo (Clinton Township, Michigan / Fraser).

Hope tacked on four runs in the second and fourth innings as well as five in the third.

Junior pitch-hitter Lexie DeHoop (Hudsonville, Michigan / Unity Christian) crushed a grand slam to left during the third. It was DeHoop's first collegiate homer. DeHoop added an RBI double in the fourth and finished with a career-high five RBIs.

The Flying Dutch finished the game with 13 hits.

In Game 2, Hope erupted for five runs in the top of the first and seven in the second.

A two-run double from DeMann and a two-run triple from freshman third baseman Eliana Ruhrup (Mattawan, Michigan / Mattawan) opened the scoring.

The Flying Dutch collected 13 hits, including two more for extra bases. 

Ruhrup smacked a three-run triple in the second. Freshman first baseman Hailey Mellec (Commerce Township, Michigan / Walled Lake Northern) capped the rally by hitting a two-run double.

Winning pitcher Grace Connelly (Grandville, Michigan / Grandville) went the distance and raised her record to 4-1.

Connelly scattered three hits and three walks to Olivet (1-9, 0-2). The right-hander struck out a season-high eight.

Hope has thrown three consecutive shutouts and given up three runs combined over the past five games.

"They're truly a staff. They support each other. They're confident in defense," Brander said. "We are so confident in any of them we put in the circle."

Hope's next doubleheader is Tuesday, April 9, at 2 p.m. at Franklin College (Ind.).

 
Print Friendly Version