by Alan Babbitt

Chloe Haskins was nearly unhittable for the Hope College softball team.

The senior righthander, pictured right, fired a one-hitter during an 8-0 victory against nine-win University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire on Tuesday in Clermont, Florida — one day after firing the 11th no-hitter in Flying Dutch history.

Eau Claire managed only one baserunner during the five-inning game — a third-inning, two-out single from leadoff batter Megan Maruna.

In Tuesday's first game, Hope defeated the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, 12-1, in five innings. Both Whitewater and Eau Claire are traditionally regional powers.

The Flying Dutch raised their record to 6-4 overall.

Haskins (Brighton, Michigan / Brighton HS) struck out four and did not walk a batter. She improved her record to 3-0. Earlier in the day, Eau Claire (9-3) defeated 10th-ranked Tufts Univeristy (Mass.), 4-3.

Second baseman Arinn King (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville), pictured, powered a nine-hit attack against Eau Claire with a two-run double in the first inning and a two-run single in the second.

Rightfielder Grace Henry (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville) added two hits and two runs scored.

Against Whitewater (3-5), the Flying Dutch blasted out 15 hits, including King, who capped a four-RBI game with a two-run double in the fifth.

The Flying Dutch jumped to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first.

Centerfielder Peyton Benjamin (Eaton Rapids, MIchigan / Eaton Rapids) scored three runs.

Henry and first baseman Kaelin Callow (Plainfield, Illinois / Plainfield) each collected two hits and two runs scored.

Winning pitcher Avery Slancik (2-3) allowed two hits and one run in four innings of work. Slancik (Scotts, Michigan / Vicksburg) struck out two and walked two.

Maddie Gracin (St. Clair Shores, Michigan / Regin) tossed a scoreless fifth, striking out two of the batters she faced.

Hope's next games are Thursday, March 24, in Clermont, Florida, against Allegheny University (Pa.) at 10 a.m. and against Bowdoin College (Maine) at 12:30 p.m.