by Alan Babbitt

Wide smiles flashed on the softball diamond at Wolters Stadium, and Hope College had not yet completed a crucial 2-0 and 11-0 sweep of Albion College.

The MIAA-leading Flying Dutch were thrilled to see their special teammate, high school freshman Sophia Howard of Hudsonville, throw out the first pitch before Game 2 against the Britons on Wednesday.

Howard joined Hope this fall through the nationwide organization, Team IMPACT, whose mission is to match children with serious illness, disabilities and life-altering conditions with college athletic teams.

Born with a limb difference, Howard joined the Flying Dutch for fall and spring practices, offseason workouts and team meals. This spring, Howard is a member of Hudsonville High School's freshman softball team.

Photo by Sophia Howard by Lynne Powe

Founded in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 2,300 children with more than 700 colleges and universities in 49 states.

"Sophia has been a fun addition to our team this year. Team Impact is a special organization; it's a win-win," head coach Mary VandeHoef said. "Sophia loves being a part of our team and getting to be at practices and go have dinner after practices. The camaraderie is the dugout is awesome. Our team brightens up when she's here. It's just joy."

The Flying Dutch were happy with the results against Albion, too.

The doubleheader sweep kept Hope on top of the MIAA standings with a 13-1 league record. The Flying Dutch (24-8 overall) can clinch the league championship outright on Saturday with one victory on Saturday, April 30 in a 1 p.m. doubleheader at second-place Trine University (22-11, 12-2 MIAA).

Trine set up the showdown by defeating Alma College (25-11, 12-4 MIAA) at home on Wednesday, 4-0 and 10-2.

In Game 1, Hope won a pitcher's duel.

Senior Avery Slancik fired a four-hit, 91-pitch shutout that included a career-high nine strikeouts. The right-hander from Scotts, Michigan (Vicksburg HS) did not walk a batter while outdueling Albion's Ashley Pion.

The Flying Dutch scored both of their runs during the third inning.

After a leadoff double by third baseman Bre Nolan (Metamora, Michigan / Lapeer), pinch-runner Kyra Acker (Eaton Rapids, Michigan / Eaton Rapids) scored on a double by junior catcher Haley Bennett (Livonia, Michigan / Benjamin Franklin).

Two batters later, sophomore centerfielder Peyton Benjamin (Eaton Rapids, Michigan / Eaton Rapids) knocked in  freshman pinch-runner Mady Pahl (Beaverton, Michigan / Beaverton) with a sacrifice fly.

In Game 2, Hope never trailed en route to an 11-0, six-inning victory.

The Flying Dutch jumped to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first when sophomore right fielder Grace Henry (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville) scored on a single by senior second baseman Arinn King (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville). Two batters later, King scored on an Albion fielding error.

In the third, King brought home Henry with a sacrifice fly. 

Hope broke open the game with a four-run fourth that featured a Nolan single that plated left fielder Vanessa Krombeen (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Calvin Christian) and a three-run homer from Bennett. It was Bennett's fourth home run of the season.

In the sixth, King added a run-scoring single for her team-leading 28th RBI of the season, while junior designated player Lexi Potapczak (Naperville, Illinois / Bennett Academy) smacked a two-run double.

Pitchers Chloe Haskins and Alaina Adams combined on a one-hit shutout.

Haskins (Brighton, Michigan / Brighton) scattered six strikeouts and three baserunners over five innings. The right-hander raised his record to 8-0 this season while yielding one hit and hit two batters. 

Adams (Oak Creek, Wisconsin / St. Thomas More) retired the side in order with two strikeouts.