Three runs over the final two innings propelled the Hope College softball team to a 4-3 season-opening victory against Carroll University (Wis.) on Friday in Edwardsville, Ill.

The Flying Dutch also gave Michelle Brander Metiva her first win as head coach.

Hope scored once in the top of the sixth inning and twice in the seventh.

The Flying Dutch responded after Carroll (1-1) took a 3-1 lead with a two-run fifth by scoring an unearned run in their next bat. 

Senior leftfielder Sydney Zombo (Clinton Township, Michigan / Fraser HS) reached on an error to lead off the sixth. After the next batter up, senior first baseman Jennaka Bultman, singled, Zombo scored from third on a sacrifice fly by senior second baseman Kyra Acker.

Hope senior reliever Alaina Adams (Oak Creek, Wisconsin / St. Thomas More) then retired Carroll in order in the bottom of the inning.

The Flying Dutch led off the seventh with a leadoff walk from freshman rightfielder Olivia Miller (Hudsonville, Michigan / Unity Christian). Miller moved up into scoring position on a sacrifice and a fielder's chosen, then scored on a sacrifice fly from sophomore designated player Kate DeMann (Byron Center, Michigan / South Christian).

Two batters later, Bultman drove in freshman third baseman Eliana Ruhrup (Mattawan, Michigan / Mattawan) with the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly.

Adams retired Carroll 1-2-3 in the seventh to secure the non-league victory. The right-hander scattered four hits and two runs over three innings of work.

"This win was an entire team effort. Pitching, offense and defense all stepped up at different points to keep us in the game," Brander said. "We ended the sixth inning with a diving catch/throw-out-of-a-base-runner double play which was a huge momentum shift. 

"We carried the momentum into our at-bats scoring two in the top of the seventh to pull ahead, then the defense held strong in the bottom inning. The dugout's energy was huge throughout the game. No one gave up and we showed a lot of grit."

Hope is scheduled to play two more games in Edwardsville on Saturday. Feb. 24. The Flying Dutch face Belhaven University (Miss.) at 11 a.m. Central and Illinois College at 1 p.m. Central.