The Hope College softball team took the field against the MIAA-leading and nationally-ranked Trine University on Saturday in Angola, Indiana.
The Flying Dutch held the Thunder to their second-lowest MIAA scoring game of the season in the 4-1 loss in Game 1, and battled through a high-scoring and home-run filled second contest that saw Trine edge past with a 10-7 victory.
Hope (18-14) moved to fifth place in the MIAA standings with a 6-6 record with two league series left to play in the regular season. Trine (30-4, 14-0) remained at the top of the league, and undefeated in league play.
In the high-scoring second game, Trine set the tone early with two runs in the first inning, followed by an additional run in the third to establish a 3-0 lead.
However, the Flying Dutch showed their resilience, rallying back in the bottom of the fourth with a three-run inning to level the score.
Sophomore Sophie Stironek's (Lake Orion, Michigan / Lake Orion HS) single up the middle brought in sophomore Terin Maynard (Grand Raids, Michigan / Jenison), while freshman Olivia Miller's (Hudsonville, Michigan / Unity Christian) infield single sent senior Mady Pahl (Beaverton, Michigan / Beaverton) across home plate. Freshman Mia Vanderheide (Caledonia, Michigan / Jenison International) capped off the inning with a well-placed RBI double to right field.
The fifth inning proved pivotal, with Trine charging ahead thanks to a four-run burst, but Hope was quick to respond.
Stironek delivered a clutch two-RBI double to center field, and junior Gianna Kerschbaum (Baroda, Michigan / Stevensville-Lakeshore) followed with a two-run homer to tie the game at 7-7.
Despite the spirited effort, Trine's bats came alive in the seventh inning, smashing two more home runs to reclaim the lead.
Offensively, Hope showcased its depth, with standout performances from Maynard (3 hits, 2 runs scored) and Stironek (two hits and three RBIs).
Contributions also came from Pahl, Kerschbaum, Miller, Vanderheide and freshman Sidnee Puffpaff (Macomb, Michigan / Dakota), each registering a hit.
In the circle, sophomore Hailey Mellec (Commerce Township, Michigan / Walled Lake Northern) started for Hope, pitching four innings with four strikeouts but allowing eight hits.
Kerschbaum, also stepping in as pitcher, went three innings, tallying six hits but ultimately taking the loss (8-6 record).
In the opening game of the doubleheader, the Flying Dutch offense was held in check by Trine's dominant pitching, with their lone run coming from a solo home run by Maynard.
Maynard finished with one hit, while freshman Jalen Fossitt (Onondaga, Michigan / Leslie) provided a spark with three hits.
Kerschbaum pitched six strong innings, striking out eight and allowing six hits.
Hope continues league play on Wednesday, April 30, at 3 p.m., welcoming Saint Mary's University to Wolters Softball Stadium.
