by Alan Babbitt

The Hope College baseball team fired the 10th no-hitter in team history during a 22-0 and 20-7 sweep of Grace Christian University on Monday at Davenport University.

Playing for the first time in nine days, the Flying Dutchmen raised their record to 6-1 overall.

In Game 1, five pitchers combined to throw Hope's first no-hitter since 2019 while issuing only three walks in seven innings.

Hope's No-Hitters

Starter Sean Hoey (Holland, Michigan / West Ottawa HS) pitched three innings and earned the decision from a scheduled bullpen game. Reliever Matt Plaehn (Okemos, Michigan / Lansing Catholic) took over in the fourth inning.

The Flying Dutchmen then received scoreless innings from Shane Hykin (Ada, Michigan / Forest Hills Northern), Matt Blesch (Hickory Corners, Michigan / Gull Lake), and Ryan Sullivan (Caledonia, Michigan / East Grand Rapids).

Hope capitalized offensively with 22 hits and nine walks. 

Leftfielder Robbie Stuursma (East Grand Rapids, Michigan / East Grand Rapids) and pinch-hitter Tucker Fritz (Holland, Michigan / West Ottawa) finished with four RBI. Stuursma also scored three times.

Second baseman Nolan Gardner (Grand Rapids, Michigan / East Grand Rapids) scored four runs. 

In Game 2, Hope collected 10 hits and drew 16 walks, including two from Gardner, who totaled a team-best five RBI.

Centerfielder Evan Maday (Grand Rapids, Michigan / East Kentwood) went 3-for-4 with a triple, double, three runs scored, and four RBI.

Third baseman Spencer Cable (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville) finished 2-for-3 with three runs scored and four RBI.

Winning pitcher Owen Krizan (Grand Haven, Michigan / Grand Haven) tossed three scoreless innings.

Hope's next game is Friday, March 18, at 2:45 p.m. vs. Johns Hopkins University in Davenport, Florida.