Hope College

The fourth-seeded Hope College softball team opened MIAA Tournament play on Wednesday with a tight 2–1, extra-inning loss to No. 2-ranked Trine University, pushing one of the nation's top teams deep into an eight-inning battle before the Thunder broke through late in Angola, Indiana. 

The Flying Dutch (27-12) stayed within striking distance throughout thanks to a strong start in the circle from senior Gianna Kerschbaum (Baroda, Michigan / Stevensville-Lakeshore). 

Kerschbaum threw six innings, allowed no earned runs, and worked around 10 Trine hits with three strikeouts. The Thunder's only early run came in the fourth on a throwing error and a caught-stealing attempt that allowed a runner to score from third.

Hope's defense stranded 10 Trine runners through six innings.

The Flying Dutch broke through in the top of the seventh when Kerschbaum led off with a home run to center field, tying the game at 1–1. It was one of Hope's three hits on the day and pushed the matchup into extra innings.

Hope put a runner on in the top of the eighth with a Terin Maynard (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Jenison) single, but Trine recorded the final outs to keep the game tied. In the bottom half, the Thunder used a leadoff walk and a double to left-center to bring home the winning run. It was the only earned run Hope allowed all afternoon.

Hope saw hits from Kerschbaum, Maynard and freshman Emily Brown (Grass Lake, Michigan / Grass Lake) who added a bunt single in the third.

In relief, junior Hailey Mellec (Commerce Township, Michigan / Walled Lake Northern) handled the final 1.1 innings, allowing two hits and one earned run with a strikeout.

With the loss, Hope moves into the elimination bracket of the double-elimination MIAA Tournament, and takes on Alma College on Thursday, May 7, at 1:30 p.m. in Angola.