The Hope College softball team rebounded in a big way on Monday, taking home a split at Ohio Northern University. 

The Flying Dutch enjoyed a sweet ending with a 10-2 victory in five innings after losing the opener 8-0 in six innings.

Hope is now 12-7 overall this season. 

In Game 2, Hope responded with a huge first inning against the Polar Bears. 

Senior Emily Martin (Whitehall, Michigan / Whitehall HS) led off with a double to center field. Senior Peyton Benjamin (Eaton Rapids, Michigan / Eaton Rapids) singled on a bunt to move Martin to third. Sophomore Kate DeMann (Byron Center, Michigan / South Christian) sent in Hope's first run on an RBI ground out. 

The Flying Dutch continued the scoring after senior Sydney Zombo (Clinton Township, Michigan / Fraser) delivered an RBI double and scored on an RBI single by freshman Eliana Ruhrup (Mattawan, Michigan / Mattawan). A fielder's choice for senior Kyra Acker (Eaton Rapids, Michigan / Eaton Rapids) brought in Ruhrup and capped the four-run rally.

In the second inning, Hope tacked on three more runs. After Ruhrup's RBI single, Acker's two-run double brought home freshman Lily Iden (Oxford, Michigan / Oxford) and Zombo. 

The Flying Dutch added an unearned run in the third and a sacrifice fly from sophomore Marie Baar in the fourth for a 10-0 lead.

Benjamin and Ruhrup led Hope in the second-game victory with three hits apiece, with Benjamin going three-for-four. 

Starting pitcher Grace Connelly (Grandville, Michigan / Grandville) tossed three scoreless innings for the win. Connelly (3-1) gave up four hits 

In game one, Ohio Northern (7-7) secured an 8-0 victory with three multi-run innings fueled by 10 hits. 

Ruhrup had two of Hope's six hits. 

Senior Samantha Vermeesch (Ithaca, Michigan / Ithaca) allowed three hits in the loss. Vermeesch (3-3) saw 15 batters in three innings of work. 

Hope is back on the field on Friday, March 29, for a 3 p.m. doubleheader at Anderson University (Ind.).