by Mackenzie McMahon

The Hope College softball team bounced back in a big way as the Flying Dutch took down Alma College in their second game of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Tournament on Thursday.

After only connecting for a single hit in the 3-0 loss to Calvin University in their first game of the tournament, the Flying Dutch collected 11 hits during the 6-3 win over the Scots in an elimination game.

Hope (25-11) advanced to face either Trine University or Calvin in an elimination game on Friday, May 6, at noon. Trine and Calvin are scheduled to play at 10 a.m. on Friday, weather permitting.

Pictured from left to right: Chloe Haskins, Bre Nolan

The top of the sith inning pushed Hope solidly in the lead as senior Bre Nolan (Metamora, Michigan / Lapeer HS) smashed her second home run of the season over the left field fence to send in senior Cayley Ebeling (Shelby Township, Michigan / Utica) and sophomore Kyra Acker (Eaton Rapids, Michigan / Eaton Rapids), increasing their lead to 6-3. 

Nolan also knocked in two runs in the top of the second inning as she soared a hit to left field to tie the game at two. The third baseman finished the game with six RBIs and three hits. 

Callow, who scored on Nolan's three-run homer, had two hits while gaining nine putouts on the defensive side of the field. 

Grace Henry (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville) collected two hits, while Lexi Potapczak (Naperville, Illinois / Benet Academy) helped the Flying Dutch to victory with three hits and two RBIs including her top of the seventh home run in the season-continuing win at the MIAA tournament. 

Senior pitcher Chloe Haskins (Brighton, Michigan / Brighton) improved her record to 8-0, with seven hits scattered across seven innings, three strikeouts and only one walk. 

Henry had the lone hit during the loss to Calvin in game one, while senior Avery Slancik was in the circle with nine hits in seven innings and two strikeouts.