by Alan Babbitt

Rightfielder Spencer Cable and designated hitter Alex Kapala each smacked two-run singles for the Hope College baseball team during a 11-6 loss to NCAA Division I Dartmouth University on Wednesday in Auburndale, Florida.

The Flying Dutchmen return from their spring break trip with a 9-4 overall record. 

Dartmouth, an Ivy League school, rallied for the win by scoring five runs in the top of the eighth inning and three in the ninth.

Hope broke a 3-3 tie in the seventh on a two-run single from Cable (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville) and a Dartmouth error that scored Cable.

The Flying Dutchmen took a 3-0 lead in the first. 

Shortstop Nolan Gardner (Grand Rapids, Michigan / East Grand Rapids) singled in Cable from third.

Kapala (West Olive, Michigan / Grand Haven) knocked in Gardner and left fielder Robbie Stuursma (East Grand Rapids, Michigan / East Grand Rapids).

Dartmouth (7-8) tied the score at 3-3 with two runs in the fourth and one in the fifth.

Hope's next games are Saturday, March 25 with a 1 p.m. doubleheader at Manchester College (Ind.).