The Hope College baseball team swept visiting Olivet College 11-1 and 18-2 on Saturday at Boeve Stadium in its home finale.

The Flying Dutchmen finished third in the MIAA standings with a 17-11 league record. They will open the MIAA Tournament at second-seeded Calvin College at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7, before the double-elimination tournament moves to top-seeded Adrian College.

Hope (21-19 overall) reached the 20-win plateau for the sixth consecutive season after taking three-of-four from Olivet. It is the 15th time in 21 seasons the Flying Dutchmen have won at least 20 games under head coach Stu Fritz and the 13th time in the past 14 seasons.

In Saturday's opener, Hope erupted for a six-run first inning and a four-run second for a 10-1 lead. 

Three Hope players celebrated Senior Day with two hits and RBIs apiece in the game — senior catcher Eric Vachon of Sterling Heights, Michigan (De La Salle Collegiate), senior rightfielder Josh Kranz of Carpentersville, Illinois (Jacobs HS), and senior third baseman Eric Dawson of Grand Haven, Michigan (Midland HS). Kranz smacked a two-run double that snapped a 1-1 tie.

Sophomore designated hitter Ryan Konkle of Marshall, Michigan (Marshall HS), also had two RBIs.

Winning pitcher Jake Chipka (4-3) went the distance. The sophomore from Waterville, Ohio (Anthony Wagner HS) scattered five hits and one run over seven innings while striking out two and walking one.

In the second game, the Flying Dutchmen recorded a season-high in runs and passed the previous high of 16 from the March 24 MIAA opener vs. Trine University at Adrian College.

Vachon collected a season-high eight RBIs. He delivered two three-run doubles, including one in the third that capped a 10-run outburst. He also had a two-run single to start the rally.

Senior centerfielder Tim Bodine of Gurnee, Illinois (Warren Township HS) went 4-for-5 with four runs scored and two RBIs.

Junior leftfielder Devin Schaefers of Lake Forest, Calif. (El Toro HS), added four runs scored, two hits and two RBIs.

Junior first baseman Ben Pearson of Madison, Wisconsin (West HS) chipped in three hits and two runs scored. Sophomore designated hitter Luke Brower of Holland (Holland Christian HS) blasted a solo home run. 

Winning pitcher Phil Haywood of Grand Rapids (Forest Hills Northern HS) earned the win. Haywood (3-1) allowed two hits and one run over four innings.

Photo by Rob Kurtycz, Hope College Sports Information