The Hope College softball team continues to build momentum on the field, after tallying two victories over Anderson University (Indiana) on Thursday at Wolters Softball Stadium, extending their winning streak to eight games - its best stretch of the season so far.  

The series sweep of Anderson improved Hope to 14-8 overall this season. 

Fueled by a mix of clutch hitting, aggressive base running, and stellar pitching, Hope delivered a thrilling come-from-behind win in the opener, 4-3, and followed it up with a commanding 7-2 win in game two.

In game one, the Flying Dutch overcame a late deficit to secure a 4-3 walk-off win. 

Trailing 3-1 after a fifth-inning home run by Anderson, Hope rallied in the bottom of the inning. 

Senior Mady Pahl's (Beaverton, Michigan / Beaverton HS) single to center field trimmed the gap to 3-2.

With bases loaded and just one out — thanks to hits from Pahl and junior Gianna Kerschbaum (Baroda, Michigan / Stevensville-Lakeshore), followed by an intentional walk to sophomore Sophie Stironek (Lake Orion, Michigan / Lake Orion) — pinch-hitter junior Kate DeMann (Byron Center, Michigan / South Christian) came through. 

A sharply hit grounder to the third baseman resulted in a fielding error, allowing Pahl to score the tying run. 

Moments later, freshman Mia Vanderheide (Caledonia, Michigan / Jenison International) delivered a clutch sacrifice fly to left field, sending Kerschbaum home for the game-winning run.

Offensively, Pahl, Kerschbaum, and Vanderheide each tallied two hits, while aggressive base running added seven stolen bases—two apiece from sophomore Terin Maynard (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Jenison) and Pahl. 

Sophomore Hailey Mellec (Commerce Township, Michigan / Walled Lake Northern) earned the win in relief, pitching two innings without allowing a hit, while Kerschbaum contributed five strikeouts in five innings pitched.

The Flying Dutch dominated the second game, leading from start to finish. 

Their offense erupted with a three-run fifth inning followed by two more runs in the sixth, while solid pitching and defense kept Anderson at bay.

Stironek led the way offensively with three hits, while Vanderheide added two RBIs and two hits. 

Freshman Jalen Fossitt (Onondaga, Michigan / Leslie) posted three hits and two RBIs, and sophomore Macy Verbeek (Grandville, Michigan / Calvin Christian) contributed two hits as well. 

Fossitt and Verbeek combined for four doubles in the win.

In the circle, winning pitcher Mellec (6-3) pitched five innings and struck out six. 

Kerschbaum sealed the victory by allowing just one run in the seventh inning as Hope's defense locked down any chance of an Anderson rally.

Hope returns to MIAA action on Saturday, April 12, on the road at Albion College at 1 p.m.