by Alan Babbitt

The Hope College softball team did not waste any time on Monday.

The Flying Dutch erupted in the first inning in both games against visiting Manchester University and earned a pair of five-inning, non-league victories at Wolters Stadium.

Hope won Game 1, 10-1, thanks to an eight-run first and Game 2, 8-0, thanks for a four-run first.

The Flying Dutch upped their record to 15-5 overall.

In Game 1, Hope sent 11 batters to the place and scored eight of them. First baseman Kaelin Callow (Plainfield, Illinois/Plainfield HS) smacked an RBI double. Designated player Claire Bates (Midland, Michigan/Bullock Creek) stroked an RBI single. 

Right fielder Cayley Ebeling (Shelby Township, Michigan/Utica), pictured, capped the decisive rally with a grand slam. It was her second home run of the season.

Bates added a two-run double in the fourth.

The Flying Dutch outhit Manchester, 11-3. Winning pitcher Megan Soderbloom (Dowagiac, Michigan/Dowagiac) struck out three and did not walk a batter in five innings on the mound.

In Game 2, Soderbloom started a first-inning rally by driving a two-run single to center. Shortstop Savannah Dixon (Niles, Michigan/Edwardsburg), the next batter, followed with a two-run double to left.

Callow laced an RBI double in the second.

Ebeling began a five-run third with an RBI double. Center fielder Peyton Benjamin (Eaton Rapids, Michigan/Eaton Rapids) delivered a run-scoring single. Second baseman Arinn King (Hudsonville, Michigan/Hudsonville) followed with a two-run double.

Hope outhit Manchester, 8-2.

Winning pitcher Chloe Haskins (Brighton, Michigan/Brighton), pictured, struck out two and walked one in five innings of work.

The Flying Dutch's next games are Friday, April 16 at Wolters Stadium against Saint Mary's College and Adrian College.