Jenna Maury

ANGOLA, Ind. — The Hope College softball team prevailed 3-1 over Olivet College in a pitcher's duel in game one of the MIAA Tournament Thursday morning at Trine University.

The Flying Dutch advanced to face Calvin College, a 5-1 upset winner against sixth-ranked Trine in Thursday's second game. Trine and Olivet meet in a 3:30 p.m. elimination game.

Hope and Calvin are tentatively set for a 5:30 p.m start on Thursday.

Hope pitcher Katie Laverty picked up the victory, allowing one earned run on five hits. The sophomore from Eaton Rapids, Michigan (Eaton Rapids HS), walked two and struck out seven to improve her record to 7-6.

Hope got on the board first in its half of the first. Centerfielder Autumn Anderson of Wayland, Michigan (Wayland HS), split the left-center gap for a leadoff triple. Shortstop Jenna Maury of Lawton, Michigan (Lawton HS), followed with a sacrifice fly to right to score Anderson.

The Flying Dutch tacked on another run in the bottom of the third. Pinch-hitter Taylor Krumm of Commerce Township (Walled Lake Central HS) led off with an infield single and advanced to second on Anderson's sacrifice bunt.

Maury laid down another sacrifice, with Krumm racing around third and sliding in under the tag to make it 2-0. Maury finished with two RBIs.

Olivet got its run in the top of the fifth. Ashley Milheim singled with one out. Lauren Lenard followed with a double off the wall in center, with Milheim coming in to score from first to cut the score to 2-1.

An RBI single from first baseman Peyton Wells of Rockford, Michigan (Rockford HS) plated Maury gave the Flying Dutch an insurance run in the top of the seventh. Wells had two hits in the game.

Ashlynn Grubb was tagged with the loss. Grubb allowed three earned runs on six hits, walked one and fanned six.  

Milheim and Lenard each had two hits for the Comets.

Photo of Kate Laverty by Lindsey Mechalik, Trine University