The Hope College softball team earned a memorable sweep on Friday afternoon, firing two no-hitters at Anderson University (Ind.) and winning 8-1 and 4-0.
In Game 1, freshman Hailey Mellec (Commerce Township, Michigan / Walled Lake Northern) retired 21 of 28 batters but did not allow a hit for the 12th no-hitter in Flying Dutch history. The left-hander struck out five and walked three. Four other Anderson runners reached base on Hope errors.
In Game 2, senior Samantha Vermeesch (Ithaca, Michigan / Ithaca) followed with the 13th no-hitter in Flying Dutch history by retiring 21 of 22 batters, including a career-high 13 by strikeout. The right-handed hit one Anderson batter in the sixth inning.
Vermeesch's 13 strikeouts matched the second-highest strikeouts in a single game in program history. Sydney Jones struck out 13 twice, both during the 2018 season, against Plymouth State and Olivet College.
The performances in the circle marked the first time Hope pitchers threw back-to-back no-hitters in a doubleheader and just second time in history two no-hitters had been thrown in the same season.
Hope's All-Time No-Hitters
The Flying Dutch improved to 14-7 overall this season.
In Game 1, Anderson (2-11) tied the score at 1-1 with an unearned run on a fielder's choice in the bottom of the third, but erupted for three run in the fourth.
Senior Jennaka Bultman (Shawnee, Kansas / Shawnee Mission) smacked a go-ahead, RBI triple that scored Pinch-runner Lily Iden (Oxford, Ohio / Talawanda).
Two batters later, junior Mady Pahl (Beaverton, Michigan / Beaverton) stroked a two-run double to left-center that sent home both Bultman and senior Kyra Acker (Eaton Rapids, Michigan / Eaton Rapids).
The Flying Dutch tacked on two-run rallies in the sixth and seventh. Freshman Sophie Stironek slammed her first home run of the season, a solo, blast, in the sixth.
Mellec raised her record to 2-1.
In Game 2, Hope utilized a three-run second inning to support Vermeesch (4-3).
Bultman singled to right-center to knock in pinch-runner Kennedi Pochmara (Clinton Township, Michigan / Chippewa Valley) and senior Sydney Zombo (Clinton Township, Michigan / Fraser). Bultman finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
Iden then stole second, moved to third on a passed ball and scored on Acker's sacrifice fly.
In the fourth, senior Peyton Benjamin (Eaton Rapids, Michigan / Eaton Rapids) scored Hope's fourth run in the top of the third after singling to center field, stealing both second and third base and coming home on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore Kate DeMann (Byron Center, Michigan / South Christian).
Hope returns to the field on Wednesday, April 3, at 3:30 p.m. to finish out non-league play with a double-header at Franklin College (Ind.).
