The Hope College softball team hit the road and split the day against Kalamazoo College on Saturday afternoon. 

The Flying Dutch, who remain in sole possession of first place in the MIAA, took game one from the Hornets, 3-2, while Kalamazoo grabbed the second game win, 6-0. 

Hope moved to 7-1 in MIAA play and is 21-10 overall. 

In game one, Hope and Kalamazoo were deadlocked at two after both teams snagged two runs apiece during the first inning. 

Senior Peyton Benjamin (Eaton Rapids, Michigan / Eaton Rapids HS) scored Hope's first run on a passed ball, before junior Mady Pahl knocked in sophomore Kate DeMann (Byron Center, Michigan / South Christian) with a double down the left field line. 

Three scoreless innings followed the four-run first, a defensive streak that was broken when freshman Eliana Ruhrup (Mattawan, Michigan / Mattawan) laid down a bunt in the top of the fifth, which she reached on a fielder's choice, to send in Benjamin for the senior's second run-scored of the game. 

Senior Jennaka Bultman (Shawnee, Kansas / Shawnee Mission) entered the circle in the bottom of the fifth for Hope, and went 1,2,3 against Kalamazoo batters for the final three innings to earn the save. 

Junior Grace Connelly (Grandville, Michigan / Grandville) (6-1) got the win after scattering three hits through four innings of work. 

Freshman Sophie Stironek (Lake Orion, Michigan / Lake Orion) and Pahl each went 2-for-4 with two hits apiece in the win. 

Pahl (Beaverton, Michigan / Beaverton) and Ruhrup led Hope, each with a single RBI. 

In game two, Kalamazoo capitalized, earning two-runs in both the first and the sixth inning to earn the split with the Flying Dutch. 

Freshman Hailey Mellec (Commerce Township, Michigan / Walled Lake Northern), one of four Hope pitchers in the circle in game two, worked through four innings, allowing five hits and just one run.  

Hope travels to Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana on Tuesday, April 23, for a double header at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.