The first three hitters for the Hope College softball team paved the way for a 7-4 win at Wheaton, Illinois and a split of a nonleague doubleheader on Monday.

Centerfielder Autumn Anderson, first baseman Shay Pinhey and second baseman Sierra Mutschler each recorded three hits to help the Flying Dutch rebound from a 2-1, nine-inning loss in the opener. Hope's record is now 18-12 overall.

Pinhey, from Ann Arbor, Michigan (Pioneer HS), singled in the top of the first and gave Hope a 1-0 lead in Game 2 when she scored on a double from rightfielder Sammi Adams of Griffith, Indiana (Griffith HS). It was the first of three runs Pinney would score.

The Flying Dutch extended their lead with a three-run second against Wheaton (21-9).

Anderson, from Dorr, Michigan (Wayland HS), delivered a RBI single that plated third baseman Katrina Ellis of Goodrich, Michigan (Goodrich HS). Pinney followed with a single that scored Anderson.

Mutschler doubled twice to bring home Pinhey in the fourth and the sixth.

Winning pitcher Kate Laverty of Eaton Rapids, Michigan (Eaton Rapids HS) scattered five hits and four runs over 4 2/3 innings. She raised her record to 9-3 overall.

Katie Singer of Howell, Michigan (Hartland HS) pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for her second save.

In the first game, Adams scored on a second-inning single from Singer. Wheaton tied the score on an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh and won the game on a walkoff homer. 

Hope returns to action on Thursday, April 21 with a nonleague doubleheader at Chicago.