With a blend of youthful energy and seasoned experience, the Hope College softball team aims to contend for an MIAA title this spring.
The Flying Dutch, who went 26-16 overall and 11-5 in league play last season, look to build on a 2024 campaign where the Orange and Blue reached the MIAA Tournament semifinals.
The 2025 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll placed Hope tied for third place with Adrian College.
Second-year head coach Michelle Brander Metiva says her team is ready to compete competitively against their top opponents this season.
"We want to show up prepared knowing we've done everything we could in our games. We're excited for our incoming players to come in and make an impact right away with our great upperclassmen leadership," Brander Metiva said. "The MIAA is a tough conference and we love that. It makes us stronger that we get to compete with some of the top teams in the Nation and being tied for third with two nationally ranked teams ahead of us is exciting."
ROSTER
Hope's roster of 23 includes six freshmen, 10 sophomores, four juniors and three seniors.
The senior class is composed of pitcher Grace Connelly (Grandville, Michigan / Grandville HS), outfielder Lexie DeHoop (Hudsonville, Michigan / Unity Christian) and second baseman Mady Pahl (Beaverton, Michigan / Beaverton).
Junior outfielder Kate DeMann (Byron Center, Michigan South Christian) returns after excelling as one of Hope's top hitters last season. DeMann stepped up to the plate 120 times, delivering 42 hits last season for a .350 batting average.
Connelly returns to the circle after slinging 50 strikeouts during the 2024 season through 55 innings pitched. The right-hander posted a 7-2 record and registered a career-high in victories.
The Flying Dutch graduated eight seniors last season, including All-MIAA selections Peyton Benjamin (outfielder) and Samantha Vermeesch (pitcher).
COACHING STAFF
Head Coach: Michelle Brander-Metiva, second season
Assistant Coaches: Mercede Daugherty, Dani Szep, Edie Daugherty
SCHEDULE
The Flying Dutch will start their season at the Millikin University (Illinois) Softball Tournament II on Friday-Saturday, March 7-8. This two-day event will see Hope play four games, including a high-stakes matchup against the National Fastpitch Coaches Association's No. 22 ranked Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Hope heads down to Claremont, Florida, for its annual Spring Break trip to take on 12 different opponents in a span of eight days. Among those non-league opponents is Rowan University, currently ranked No. 4, providing an early benchmark for Hope's competitiveness on a national level.
The Flying Dutch welcome Cornerstone to Wolters Stadium for the home opener on Tuesday, March 25, at 3 p.m.
The conference campaign begins on Saturday, April 5, at The University of Olivet. In two of the final three regular season games, Hope faces significant tests against the No. 9 ranked Trine on April 26 and the final regular-season home game against the No. 18 ranked Calvin on May 3.
