Eric Vachon

The Hope College baseball team started Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play on Monday, March 24, defeating Trine 16-4 in the first game before losing the nightcap 4-3.

The doubleheader was played at Adrian College because Trine's field was unplayable.

In the first game, Hope (4-7 overall) jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the top of the first inning. The Flying Dutchmen sent 10 batters to the plate, hitting three doubles, including a two-run one from catcher Eric Vachon of Sterling Heights (De La Salle Collegiate).

Winning pitcher Currey Thomas (2-1) of Grandville (Grandville HS) allowed five hits and four runs. All of the runs came after Hope led 11-0 in the sixth.

Vachon shared game-high four RBIs with designated hitter Luke Brower of Holland (Holland Christian HS). Brower, Vachon and second baseman Brady VanderWeele of Kalamazoo (Parchment HS) led Hope with three hits apiece.

Hope totaled 18 hits and capitalized on five errors by Trine (6-6, 1-1 MIAA).

In the nightcap, Hope lost after giving a walkoff, two-out walk with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh. Reliever Eric Plaehn (0-1) of Lansing (Catholic Central HS) suffered the defeat.

VanderWeele went 3-for-4 with a RBI single and one run scored.