The Hope College softball team wrapped up its fourth day of Florida competition with a split on Tuesday, rallying late to secure a 6-5 victory over Fredonia (New York) after falling, 6-2, to The College of Wooster (Ohio)
The Flying Dutch erased a three-run deficit in the sixth inning of their second game of the day to even their record at 6-6 on the season.
The explosive four-run sixth inning against Fredonia was ignited by a Mia Vanderheide (Caledonia, Michigan / Jenison International HS) two-run double to right center, bringing home junior Mya Spisz (Oxford, Michigan / Oxford) and sophomore Terin Maynard (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Jenison) to cut the deficit to one.
Moments later, freshman Becca Tuttle (Grand Rapids, Michigan / West Catholic) delivered the biggest swing of the game, launching a pinch-hit, two-run home run to left field, giving Hope a 6-5 lead.
Junior Gianna Kerschbaum (Baroda, Michigan / Stevensville-Lakeshore) was dominant in relief, keeping Fredonia's offense in check while pitching 5.2 innings. Kerschbaum (4-2) allowed only three hits while striking out nine.
Freshman Sidnee Puffpaff (Macomb, Michigan / Dakota) had a standout plate performance against Fredonia (0-6), recording two hits, including a triple.
Vanderheide also contributed two hits, while sophomore Olivia Miller (Hudsonville, Michigan / Unity Christian), Schnick and Maynard each added one.
Against Wooster, Hope's bats were quiet for most of the game.
The Scots (3-6) took control early and held a 6-0 lead heading into the final inning. However, the Flying Dutch refused to go down without a fight, breaking through with two late runs in the top of the seventh.
Freshman Jalen Fossitt (Onondaga, Michigan / Leslie) put Hope on the board with an RBI groundout to the shortstop, allowing senior Mady Pahl (Beaverton, Michigan / Beaverton) to score.
Sophomore Sophie Stironek (Lake Orion, Michigan / Lake Orion) followed with an RBI double to center field, driving in Puffpaff for Hope's second and final run of the game.
Puffpaff led the offense with three hits, while sophomore Eliana Ruhrup (Mattawan, Michigan / Mattawan), sophomore Macy Verbeek (Grandville, Michigan / Calvin Christian), Fossitt, Stironek and Pahl each contributed one.
In the circle, freshman Mikayla Derks (Saint John, Indiana / Iliana Christian) pitched five innings in relief, allowing five hits and throwing two strikeouts.
Hope returns to play in Clermont, Florida on Thursday, March 20, taking on the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse at 2 p.m. and Wellesley College at 4:15 p.m.
