Emma Page

The Hope College softball team collected nine extra-base hits, including three home runs, while sweeping Kalamazoo College 10-0 and 11-0 on Saturday.

It was the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association opener for the Flying Dutch (8-9 overall). The games were played at Hope because Kalamazoo's field was unplayable.

"We made quick adjustments (batting)," Hope coach Mary VandeHoef said. "We found a way to stay back (at the plate) and stay patient. I think there are a lot of players in our lineup who have the power to hit home runs and the bat speed to do it."

In the second game, three different Hope players slugged home runs as the Flying Dutch surpassed their season total for home runs in one game.

A two-run homer from sophomore centerfielder Autumn Anderson of Wayland (Wayland HS) keyed a three-run rally in the second that put Hope up 5-0. Anderson now has two home runs on the season.

Senior catcher Emma Page of Portage (Portage Central HS) and junior third baseman Kelsey Cooper of Romeo (Romeo HS) each added their first home runs of the season on solo blasts in the third and fourth innings, respectively.

The Flying Dutch finished with 15 hits, including a triple from leftfielder Taylor Krumm of Commerce Township (Walled Lake Central HS) and a double from pinch-hitter Julie Sobieski of St. Charles, Ill. (St. Charles East HS).

Winning pitcher Kate Laverty of Eaton Rapids (Eaton Rapids HS) tossed a one-hit, five-inning shutout. Laverty (2-5) struck out four and walked two.

In the first game, freshman rightfielder Sammi Adams of Griffith, Ind. (Griffth HS), led the Flying Dutch by going 4-for-4 with three RBIs and one double.

Junior catcher Adalee Robertson of Flushing (Flushing HS) also doubled and chipped in three RBIs.

Hope had four extra base-hits, including a double from Anderson and a triple from shortstop Jenna Maury of Lawton (Lawton HS).

Winning pitcher Natalie Hiser of Westland (Livonia Churchill HS) fired a three-hit shutout over seven innings. Hiser (6-2) struck out seven and walked one.

"We looked sharp," VandeHoef said of her pitchers. "It's good any time there are two zeroes on the scoreboard after a game."