by Mackenzie McMahon

Catcher Caleb Regan (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Byron Center HS), pictured, earned his fourth home run of the season as he powered one over the fence in the Hope College baseball team's 6-5 loss to  Kalamazoo College on Tuesday.

The Flying Dutchmen are now 10 - 6 as they continue MIAA conference play. 

Kalamazoo (9-7) scored the go-ahead and game-winning run in the bottom of the 13th inning on a sacrifice fly to right field.

Sophomore Robbie Stuursma (Grand Rapids, Michigan / East Grand Rapids) and senior Kainan Bayn (Zeeland, Michigan / Zeeland East) opened the scoring for Hope College in the top of second. The two runs came off of a Kalamazoo fielding error to give Hope the lead. Kalamazoo would tally four runs on three hits in the bottom of the fourth to gain the lead that would hold until the top of the eighth. 

Regan's seventh inning home run brought the orange and blue within two with the Hornets, and in the top of the eighth inning, Hope would tie the game. Senior Grant Barrett (Chelsea, Michigan / Chelsea) would begin the rally as he fired a single through the right side, sending Bayn home to score. Freshman Al Money (v) singled down the left field line, where freshman Dylan Kleinedler (Sterling Heights, Michigan / Stevenson) would be called out after attempting a score, but unsuccessful as the Kalamazoo relay from left field would make it to home plate first. Senior Tucker Fritz (Holland, Michigan / West Ottawa) did score on the Money left field single, making it a tie game with an inning left to play. 

Mason Belmore, a freshman from Battle Creek, Michigan (Lakeview) collected one strikeout and allowed just eight hits in his five innings on the mound. Sophomore Reece Crabtree (Reynoldsburg, Ohio / Reynoldsburg) sent five Hornets packing on strikeouts during his four innings pitching, while freshman Matt Blesch (Hickory Corners, Michigan / Gull Lake), senior Micah Holzwarth (Hickory Corners, Michigan / Gull Lake) and senior Shane Hykin (Ada, Michigan / Forest Hills Northern) all saw action for one inning. Blesch threw out 11 strikes on 19 pitches, Hykin tallied two strikeouts on four batters, and Holzwarth allowed a single run and fired 13 strikes in 30 pitches. 

The Flying Dutchmen will play their series finale with Alma College, rescheduled from April 4, on Wednesday, April 6 at 4:00 p.m. in Boeve Stadium.