by Alan Babbitt

For the second day in a row, the Hope College baseball team bounced back in a big way after dropping the first game of a doubleheader.

The Flying Dutchmen defeated Kalamazoo College, 12-2, on Saturday at Boeve Stadium after losing the opener 8-4.

Hope (8-5 overall) split the first four-game series of the MIAA season with the previously unbeaten Hornets. On Friday, the Flying Dutchmen took the nightcap, 20-1, at Kalamazoo after falling 6-3 in the first game.

On Saturday, Hope erupted in Game 2 for seven runs during its first at-bat to quickly overcome a 2-0 deficit.

The Flying Dutchmen sent 12 batters to the plate against Kalamazoo (9-2). First baseman Andrew Gilpin (Brighton, Michigan/Brighton) smacked a two-run single to the opposite field in right to break a 2-2 tie. Designated hitter Kainan Bayn (Zeeland, Michigan/Zeeland East) capped the rally with a two-run, two-out single to leftfield.

Hope capitalized on two hit batters, including one with the bases loaded, and a bases-loaded walk. The Hornets also committed one fielding error and a passed ball during the inning.

The Flying Dutchmen drew 10 walks in the game and were hit by pitches five times.

Gilpin, pictured top right, scored three times, while shortstop Brant Kym (Libertyville, Illinois/Libertyville) scored twice. 

Bayn and second baseman Nolan Gardner (Grand Rapids, Michigan/East Grand Rapids) each collected two hits.

Winning pitcher Sean Hoey, pictured left, scattered six runs and two hits over six innings. The senior righthander from Holland, Michigan (West Ottawa) struck out three and walked two.

In Saturday's opener, Hope scored all of its runs during the second inning.

Right fielder Spencer Cable delivered a three-run triple to left field. The junior from Hudsonville, Michigan (Hudsonville HS) then scored for a 4-1 lead on a single to center from center fielder Evan Maday (Grand Rapids, Michigan/East Kentwood).

Kalamazoo took a 7-4 lead with a four-run fifth. 

Cable added a double and finished with two of Hope's four hits.

Hope's next games are a four-game series against Olivet College on Friday-Saturday, April 2-3.