The Hope College softball team dropped both games of its home opener to Aurora, Illinois on Monday.

The Flying Dutch lost the nonleague games 10-1 and 1-0 to fall to 9-5 on the season.

In the second game, senior Kate Laverty of Eaton Rapids, Michigan (Eaton Rapids HS) allowed just one solo home run in the sixth inning in a complete game. Laverty (5-1) yielded six hits and struck out eight.

Hope collected five hits and two walks. The Flying Dutch stranded five base runners and had one thrown out at home plate.

Aurora (9-5) snapped a scoreless tie in the first game with a four-run fourth that featured the first of three Spartan home runs. 

Hope returns to action on Wednesday, March 30 when the Flying Dutch host Alma in their Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association opener. First pitch in the doubleheader is 3:30 p.m.