One day after being shut out at home in the opening game of a three-game weekend series against Adrian College, the Hope College baseball team used the big inning to sweep a road doubleheader from the Bulldogs Saturday afternoon, 12-4 and 13-11.

The Flying Dutchmen had four innings where they scored four or more runs during the doubleheader as they improved to 4-2 in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play and evened their overall record at 11-11.

It was Hope's first sweep of Adrian at Nicolay Field since 2013.

In the opening game, Hope jumped on the Bulldogs for four runs in the top of the third. Junior first baseman Owen Krizan of Grand Haven, Michigan (Grand Haven) opened the scoring with an RBI single to right, plating fifth-year senior rightfielder Kainan Bayn of Zeeland, Michigan (Zeeland East). Senior second baseman Nolan Gardner of Grand Rapids, Michigan (East Grand Rapids) followed with a two-run single to left, then came around to score on a wild pitch for a 4-0 Hope lead.

The Bulldogs responded with three runs in the home half of third. Hope took advantage of a wild pitch and an Adrian error to score two runs in top of the fourth, then broke the game open with a four-run uprising in the fifth. The Flying Dutchmen loaded the bases with a double and two walks. Sophomore second baseman Al Money of Midland, Michigan (Midland) singled to score Gardner, leaving the bases loaded. 

Then, fifth-year senior Spencer Cable of Hudsonville, Michigan (Hudsonville) cleared the bases with a three-run double to right, giving Hope a 10-3 lead.

The Flying Dutchmen tacked on two more runs in the seventh, again taking advantage of wildness by Adrian pitchers. Two walks and a hit batter loaded the bases. Bayn then delivered a two-run single to left, scoring senior catcher Caleb Regan of Grand Rapids, Michigan (Byron Center) and Money to extend the lead to 12-3.

Hope finished with 13 hits in the opener and took advantage of nine walks by Adrian pitching. The Flying Dutchmen also stole six bases in the game, led by Krizan with two. Five different players – Cable, Bayn, Gardner, Money and junior centerfielder Robbie Stuursma of Grand Rapids, Michigan (East Grand Rapids) – had two hits apiece.

Freshman righthander Ian Sanders of Grandville, Michigan (Grandville) picked up his first collegiate victory in relief, working the last five innings, allowing just one run, four hits and one walk while striking out three.

In game two, Hope scored all of its runs in just two innings – seven runs in the third and six in the sixth – and then had to hold off a furious Adrian comeback to complete the sweep.

After Adrian scored three runs in the second to open the scoring, the Dutchmen sent 11 men to the plate in the third by once again capitalizing on the struggles of Adrian pitching to find the plate. With two out and a runner on first, a single by Cable and a walk to Bayn loaded the bases. Junior shortstop Devin Meeuwsen of Rockford, Michigan (Grand Rapids Christian), who had led off the inning with a walk, scored on a wild pitch.

Stuursma was intentionally walked to load the bases. This time, it was Krizan's turn to clear the bases as he socked a three-run double to right to put Hope in the lead, 4-3. Two more walks loaded the bases again.

Then, Meeuwsen finished what he started. His three-run double to left capped the rally and the Dutchmen led 7-3.

In the sixth, Hope needed just two hits to score six runs. Two walks and two hit batters led to the first run of the inning. Krizan's infield single scored Cable, and the bases remained loaded.

Sophomore left fielder Dylan Kleinedler of Sterling Heights, Michigan (Sterling Heights Stevenson) unloaded his first home run of the season – a grand slam over the left-field wall – to give Hope a 13-4 lead.

Adrian stormed back with seven runs in the bottom of the sixth. The Bulldogs had the tying runs in scoring position with one out, but sophomore Trent Johnson of Midland, Michigan (Midland) got a ground out and strikeout to preserve the lead. Johnson would go on to strike out six batters – including striking out the side in the seventh - over the last 3 2/3 innings for his second save of the season.

Junior right-hander Graham O'Gorman of Champaign, Illinois (Champaign Central) worked the first five innings to pick up his fourth win against one loss on the season. He gave up eight runs and 10 hits in those five innings and struck out four.

Hope had just eight hits in the second game, but was aided by nine walks and two hit batters. Krizan and Bayn each had two hits, while Krizan and Kleinedler each drove in four runs and Meeuwsen three.

The Flying Dutchmen are back in action Monday, April 10, at 4 p.m. at Boeve Stadium against MIAA-leading Kalamazoo College. Hope is one of four teams with a 4-2 league record, Kalamazoo is 3-1.