The Hope College softball team demonstrated grit in Day 2 in Clermont, Florida, rallying for a split Saturday's games on a walk-off victory against Plymouth State University (New Hampshire).

The Flying Dutch capitalized on a throwing error to win, 5-4, and rebound from an 8-1 loss to Ramapo College (New Jersey) earlier in the afternoon, evening their record at 4-4.

Hope's offense got off to a fast start, keeping the game close with timely hits and aggressive base running.

Trailing 4-3 heading into their final at-bat, the Flying Dutch rally started when freshman Kenadee Schnick (Jenison, Michigan / Jenison HS) reached on an error to lead off the inning and advanced to third on the play.

After a groundout, freshman Mikayla Derks (Saint John, Indiana / Iliana Christian) reached on a one-out infield single, then stole second to put the winning run in scoring position.

Freshman Sidnee Puffpaff (Macomb, Michigan / Dakota) singled to drive home Schnick with the tying run. On the play, Plymouth State threw the ball away, allowing Derks to score the winning run.

Derks finished the game with a team-best two hits, while Puffpaff had a game-high three RBIs. 

Senior Mady Pahl (Beaverton, Michigan / Beaverton) and Derks shared a game-high three stolen bases. 

Junior Gianna Kerschbaum (Baroda, Michigan / Stevensville-Lakeshore) went the distance in the circle, earning the win. 

Kerschbaum (2-2) allowed six hits while striking out six of the 30 batters she faced.

Against Ramapo, Hope managed to get on the scoreboard in the fourth inning when sophomore Sophie Stironek (Lake Orion, Michigan / Lake Orion) delivered a double. On the play, Puffpaff advanced to the third and scored on the throw to second. Puffpaff topped Hope with two hits.

Ramapo, playing for the first time this season, answered with four runs in its half of the fourth and four more in the fifth.

Hope returns to play in Florida on Monday, March 17, against Springfield College at 9 a.m. and against Cortland University at 11:15 a.m.