In a tightly contested matchup between the Hope College softball team and No. 7 Trine University on Thursday, the visiting Thunder emerged victorious in both games of the doubleheader, winning 3-0 in game one and 1-0 in game two. 

Despite the losses, Hope showed impressive resilience and tenacity throughout both games. 

In game one, the Flying Dutch battled defensively until the bottom of the eighth inning when Trine's offense exploded for three runs off of two doubles and a single.

Freshman Kennedi Pochmara (Clinton Township, Michigan / Chippewa Valley HS) led the team in hits, recording two on the day, while junior Kyra Acker (Eaton Rapids, Michigan / Eaton Rapids), senior Lexi Potapczak (Naperville, Illinois / Benet Academy), senior Cayley Ebeling (Shelby Township, Michigan / Utica), and junior Grace Henry (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville) each contributed one hit. 

Sophomore Grace Connelly (Grandville, Michigan / Grandville) was outstanding in the circle for Hope, going 7.1 innings, allowing eight hits and striking out six.

In game two, Trine grabbed the game's lone run in the bottom of the first on a throwing error.

Hope held the Thunder to a season-low in hits, with just three. 

Junior Peyton Benjamin (Eaton Rapids, Michigan / Eaton Rapids), Acker, Potapczak, Henry and Pochmara each recorded a single hit, while junior Samantha Vermeesch (Ithaca, Michigan / Ithaca) pitched a complete game, allowing just three hits and slinging two strikeouts.

Hope moved to 20-14-1 on the season and now sits in the fifth spot in the MIAA standings. 

The Flying Dutch face off against the Adrian College Bulldogs in a doubleheader on Thursday, May 4, at 3 p.m.