A school-record pitching performance helped the Hope College softball team take two from Kalamazoo on Wednesday with wins of 2-0 and 4-3.
Sophomore Sydney Jones of South Lyon, Michigan (South Lyon East HS) struck out a school-record 12 batters for a complete-game shutout in Game 1.
The Flying Dutch recorded a walkoff win in Game 2 when pinch-runner Sarah Jones of Norton Shores, Michigan (Mona Shores HS) advanced to third on a single from rightfielder Sammi Adams of Griffith, Indiana (Griffith HS) and scored on a Kalamazoo throwing effort.
Hope improved to 13-11 overall while evening its Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association record at 3-3.
In the opener, Jones passed Lisa Larzelere's previous record of 11 strikeouts in 1999 against Eastern Connecticut.
Jones (4-8) allowed just three baserunners during her one-hit shutout, including one by walk and one by hit by pitch.
The Flying Dutch supported Jones with single runs in the fourth and sixth.
Designated player Sam Waller of Oak Lawn, Illinois (Harold L. Richards HS) knocked home catcher Hayley Reitsma of Grand Rapids, Michigan (Grand Rapids Christian HS) with a fourth-inning single.
Adams doubled to lead off the sixth and later scored on a passed ball.
In the nightcap, Hope answered a score-tying, two-run rally in the top of the seventh with a single run.
Second baseman Sierra Mutschler of Wayland, Michigan (Wayland HS) hit a leadoff single, then Sarah Jones ran for her.
Shortstop Jenna Maury of Lawton, Michigan (Lawton HS) moved Sarah Jones to second on a sacrifice bunt. Adams followed with a single, and on the play, Sarah Jones reached home plate on an error.
Mutschler, third baseman Katrina Ellis of Goodrich, Michigan (Goodrich HS) and leftfielder Noelle Jackson of Grand Blanc, Michigan (Grand Blanc HS) each collecting run-producing singles against Kalamazoo (6-17, 2-4 MIAA).
Reliever Katie Singer of Howell, Michigan (Hartland HS) earned the win after scattering two runs and two hits over 1 2/3 innings of relief. Singer (2-0) struck out one and walked two.
Hope returns to action on Thursday, April 14 by hosting a 3:30 p.m. Hometown Week doubleheader against Olivet at Wolters Stadium.
