by Alan Babbitt

Two big innings paved the way for a dramatic sweep for the Hope College softball team on Saturday.

The Flying Dutch won at Defiance College (Ohio), 5-2 in 11 innings and 6-0 in seven innings, to improve their record to 4-0 overall.

In Game 1, one of the longest in Hope history, the Flying Dutch's three-run top of the 11th proved the difference.

Shortstop Savannah Dixon (Edwardsburg, Michigan/Edwardsburg HS) led off the inning with a double and scored on winning pitcher Megan Soderbloom's single.

First baseman Kaelin Callow (Plainfield, Illinois/Plainfield) followed with a run-scoring single to right-center. One out later, Callow, pictured left, scored on a single from catcher Morgann Kanouse (Cadillac, Michigan/Cadillac).

Soderbloom (Dowagiac, Michigan/Dowagiac) returned to the mound and retired three of the four batters she faced. While striking out five, Soderbloom (2-0) scattered 12 hits and two walks over 11 innings of work.

Defiance tied the score at 2-2 with a run in the seventh. Soderbloom stranded the winning run at third.

The longest game in Hope softball history is 12 innings, a 2-1 victory vs. Albion on May 5, 1994.

In Game 2, the Flying Dutch jumped to a 5-0 lead with a five-run second.

Callow started the rally with an RBI double. 

After two walks, third baseman Bre Nolan (Metamora, Michigan/Lapeer) cleared the bases with a double to right field. Nolan, pictured right, then scored when center fielder Peyton Benjamin (Eaton Rapids, Michigan/Eaton Rapids) reached base on an error.

In the fourth, center fielder Jo Cook (Birch Run, Michigan/Birch Run) knocked in Benjamin with a bunt single.

Winning pitcher Chloe Haskins (Brighton, Michigan/Brighton) tossed a complete-game, four-hit shutout. Haskins (1-0) struck out two and walked one.

Hope's next games are a Saturday, March 20 doubleheader against Franklin College (Indiana) at Wolters Stadium.