Senior TJ Klein Receives All-Region Honors (5/23/13)
An outstanding senior season that played a significant part in Hope's march to a league co-championship has resulted in a post-season honor for TJ Klein of Circle Pines, Minn. (Centennial HS) who has been named to the American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings all-region team. A three-year starter in centerfield, Klein was co-captain of the team as a junior and senior. He received All-MIAA honors for three seasons, second team in his sophomore and junior years and first team as a senior. continue

All-MIAA Honors Presented to Hope Players (5/8/13)
Hope College veterans and players new to the collegiate experience shine on the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) all-conference baseball and softball teams announced today by the league's coaches. In both baseball and softball, Hope has a freshman and a senior on the first team. There are a total of 11 Hope players being honored on the combined first and second teams.

In baseball, senior outfielder T.J. Klein of Circle Pines,Minn.(Centennial HS) is joined on the first team by freshman second baseman Brady VanderWeele ofKalamazoo(Parchment HS). VanderWeele is the only first-year player named to the All-MIAA first team.

In softball, senior rightfielder Laura Tjepkema of Dorr (South Christian HS) is joined by freshman leftfielder Autumn Anderson of Wayland (Wayland HS) on the first team. Tjepkema is being honored for a second year.

Hope players named to the All-MIAA baseball second team are junior catcher Eric Vachon of Sterling Heights (Warren De La Salle HS), junior third baseman Eric Dawson of Grand Haven (Midland HS), junior outfielder Tim Bodine of Gurnee, Ill. (Warren Township HS), pitcher (utility player) Jordan Carrigan of Buchanan (Berrien Springs HS), and senior Cory Schmidt of Milan, Ohio (Edison HS). Hope players named to the All-MIAA softball second team are sophomore third baseman Kelsey Cooper of Romeo (Romeo HS) and sophomore pitcher Natalie Hiser ofWestland(Livonia Churchill HS).

Flying Dutchmen Eliminated from MIAA Tournament
Adrian 11, Hope 6 / Trine 3, Hope 2
The Flying Dutchmen were eliminated from the conference tournament they are hosting, bowing twice on Thursday. In the opener league co-champion Adrian topped the Flying Dutchmen 11-6 and in the elimination game the Trine Thunder won 3-2. Hope ends its season with a 27-15 record.
Adrian 11, Hope 6:The Flying Dutchmen broke a scoreless tie with four runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by a base-clearing double by freshman Luke Brower. However, Adrian scored in each of the next five innings to secure a 30-win season. Starter Currey Thomas suffered the loss (4-2) allowing six runs over five innings. Hope's seven hits were spread over seven players.
Trine 3, Hope 2: The Flying Dutchmen were limited to four hits. Freshman pitcher Austin Goodyke went the distance for the Flying Dutchmen. Hope's runs came in the sixth inning on a two-run double by senior TJ Klein.

Flying Dutchmen Open MIAA Tournament Play With Victory (5/8/13)
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The Flying Dutchmen balanced solid pitching with clutch hitting to open MIAA tournament play Wednesday with a 7-3 victory over rival Calvin. Hope is hosting the double elimination tournament at Boeve Baseball Stadium. Action resumes Thursday with three games scheduled beginning at 10 a.m. when the regular season co-champion Flying Dutchmen (27-13) and Adrian Bulldogs (29-12) meet. Adrian opened tournament play on Wednesday with a come-from-behind 5-4 win over Trine.

In tournament play the length of games is extended from seven to nine innings. Senior Cory Schmidt (6-2) pitched seven solid innings while freshman Matt Glowacki closed it closed with two scoreless innings.

Tied 1-1, the Flying Dutchmen scored twice in the bottom of the third and added four more in the fourth to take command. Cleanup hitter Chris Blair drove in four runs. The top of Hope's batting order had eight of the team's 11 hits. The Flying Dutchmen had five doubles in the game led by T.J. Klein with two. Collecting two hits apiece were leadoff hitter Brady VanderWeele, Eric Dawson, T.J. Klein and Blair.

Flying Dutchmen Gain Top-Seed in League Tournament;
Gain Share of MIAA Title with Sweep of Rival Calvin
Hope 8, Calvin 5 / Hope 7, Calvin 6 (9)

The Flying Dutchmen ended a six-year MIAA baseball title drought and earned the opportunity to host next week's conference tournament for the first time by sweeping a doubleheader in dramatic fashion over rival Calvin on Saturday. The victories, 8-5 in the opener and 7-6 in a nine-inning nightcap marathon, puts Hope at 20-8 in the final MIAA standings and in a tie for first for the league championship with Adrian.

Back in March in a league season-opening series, the Flying Dutchmen won three-out-of-four over Adrian giving Hope the tie-break advantage in determining the host team for the conference tournament. Hope will have the home field advantage throughout the double-elimination tournament, which will determine who represents the MIAA in the NCAA Division III championship later this month. On Wednesday Hope (26-13) will host Calvin (16-23) yet again in a single nine-inning game beginning at 4 p.m. while Adrian (28-12) will host Trine (21-17). All of the remaining action will shift to Hope's Boeve Stadium on Thursday (three games with the first beginning at 10 a.m.) and Friday (the championship game).

The league championship is the ninth in 20 seasons under coach Stu Fritz who is now tied for the most MIAA baseball crowns coached. He shares the mark with Albion's Frank Joranko who also had nine titles between 1973-95. It is also the 22nd MIAA baseball title in Hope history.

Hope 8, Calvin 5: The Flying Dutchmen led 8-0 after two innings behind a seven-run second. Calvin cut the deficit to three runs before Hope relievers Matt Glowacki and Jordan Carigan shut the door with three scoreless innings. The top of the Hope batting order accounted for six of the team's eight hits led by Brady VanderWeele and Eric Dawson with two apiece. Starter Alex Luke received credit for the victory (2-1), Matt Glowacki for a hold, and Jordan Carrigan recorded his second save of the series and career-record 20th.

Hope 7, Calvin 6 (9): Hope staged an amazing comeback to gain the victory, title share and tournament home field advantage. Trailing 6-4 heading into their last at-bat, the Flying Dutchmen scored twice in the bottom of the seventh to send the game into extra innings. Junior Tim Bodine, sidelined the last nine games and visibly limping when he stepped to the plate to pinch-hit, delivered the clutch RBI single that tied the game. Drama continued into the ninth. Senior T.J. Klein opened the inning with a single, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from backup catcher Nick Glowacki and scored the game-winner on Josh Kranz's RBI single. Matt Glowacki, the freshman twin brother of Matt, recorded his first collegiate victory pitching three scoreless innings. Klein and Luke Brower each had a pair of hits.

MIAA Championship on the Line in Rivalry Twinbill
Hope 6, Calvin 5 / Calvin 8, Hope 1 / MIAA Standings
Hope's bid to win an MIAA championship has come down to a regular season-ending home doubleheader on Saturday against rival Calvin. The teams on Friday at the minor league baseball Fifth Third Park split a doubleheader, Hope winning the opener 6-5 and Calvin taking the nightcap 8-1.

The split puts Hope at 18-8 in conference games. Defending champion Adrian has concluded its league season with a 20-8 record. Hope needs to sweep their rival Saturday to gain a co-championship. If Hope and Adrian end in a tie, the top-seed in next week's conference tournament would go to the Flying Dutchmen who took the head-to-head series between the teams.

Split Drops Hope Out of First in MIAA Race (4/27/13)
Alma 6, Hope 4/ Hope 8, Alma 5
The Flying Dutchmen slipped out of first place in the MIAA race after splitting a home doubleheader with Alma on Saturday. The Scots won the opener 6-4 while the Flying Dutchmen took the nightcap 8-5. Meanwhile, Adrian swept a doubleheader from Olivet to move into first. The Bulldogs have a 16-6 record while Hope is 17-7 heading into the final week of the regular season. More than 400 fans celebrated Ron Boeve Day in honor of the longtime assistant coach.
Doubleheader Highlights: The Flying Dutchmen stranded 10 baserunners in the opening game loss. In the nightcap the Dutchmen rallied from a four-run deficit by scoring seven times in the fifth inning. Freshman Jake Chipka gained his first collegiate victory in relief while senior Jordan Carrigan was credited with his 18th career save, a record. Designated hitter Chris Blair had five hits in the doubleheader. After hitting a homerun in the opener, TJ Klein batted 3-for-3 in the victory.

Flying Dutchmen Sweep Scots to Take MIAA Lead (4/25/13)
Hope 4, Alma 3 / Hope 6, Alma 3
The Flying Dutchmen gained sole possession of first place in the MIAA race by sweeping a doubleheader over host Alma on Thursday. Coach Stu Fritz's Dutchmen needed come-from-behind efforts in each game to gain the 4-3 and 6-3 victories. The rest of the conference was idle on Thursday. Hope improved to 16-6 in conference games. Challenger Adrian is 14-6 heading into weekend games. Hope stands 22-11 overall.
Hope 4, Alma 3: The Flying Dutchmen scored two runs in their last-at-bat to gain the victory. Freshman Brady VanderWeele open the seventh with a triple and came home when Eric Dawson followed with an RBI single. TJ Klein reached on a fielder's choice and moved around the bases to score the game-winner on back-to-back singles by Eric Vachon and Alex Hunt. Senior closer Jordan Carrigan gained the victory in relief of Cory Schmidt. Carrigan has a 6-1 record all in relief.
Hope 6, Alma 3: The Flying Dutchmen trailed 3-2 after four innings, but rallied with runs in each of the next three. Designated hitter Chris Blair delivered the game-winning RBI single in a two-run fifth inning. Sophomore starter Currey Thomas went the distance for the seventh time this season allowing five hits while striking out eight.

Split Puts Dutchmen Back in Tie for MIAA Lead (4/22/13)
Hope 6, Albion 0/ Albion 11, Hope 8
A doubleheader split on Monday has put the Flying Dutchmen back in a tie for first place in the MIAA baseball race. In the opener, coach Stu Fritz's Dutchmen posted their 20th win of the season behind a 6-0 victory over Albion, but the host Britons took the nightcap 11-8 to push Hope back into the first place tie with Adrian. The league leaders are each 14-6 with eight games remaining in the conference season. The split puts Hope at 20-11 for the season. It marks the fifth straight 20-win campaign for the Flying Dutchmen.
Hope 6, Albion 0: Freshman Austin Goodyke (1-1) pitched his first complete game shutout facing only six batters above the minimum. TJ Klein led Hope's nine-hit attack with a pair of singles. Josh Kranz drove in a pair of runs with a single.
Albion 11, Hope 8: The Britons scored four runs in the first inningand led 9-1 after three innings. Hope came back with three runs in the fourth and four in the seventh, but it wasn't enough. Tom Tresh (1-2), the first of four Hope pitchers, took the loss. Designated hitter Chris Blair had three hits, including a double and homerun, and drove-in four runs. Collecting two hits each were Eric Vachon, Josh Kranz and Luke Brower.

Flying Dutchmen Keep Pace in MIAA Race With Sweep (4/20/13)
Hope 4, Albion 3 (8) / Hope 7, Albion 4
Mid-April snowflakes failed to cool down Hope's pursuit of a conference championship Saturday as the Flying Dutchmen swept a home doubleheader over Albion, 4-3 in eight innings and 7-4. With the temperature barely above freezing, coach Stu Fritz's Dutchmen kept pace with defending champion Adrian to improve to 13-5 in the MIAA and to 19-10 overall. The Flying Dutchmen are within a win of their fifth straight 20-win season and the 12th in the last 13 years. The teams will continue the four-game series on Monday at Albion.
Hope 4, Albion 3 (8): The Flying Dutchmen scored an walkoff unearned run to win the opener. Eric Dawson led off the inning with a single, moved to second on an fielding error, advanced to third on a fielder's choice and scored the winning run on a throwing error. Senior reliever Jordan Carrigan (5-1) gained the victory. The Flying Dutchmen were limited to four hits, but took advantage of four Albion errors.
Hope 7, Albion 4: The Flying Dutchmen led 7-0 after three innings and then withstood a late Albion rally to gain the victory. Sophomore starter Currey Thomas (6-1) came within one out of his sixth complete game of the season. Freshman reliever Matt Glowacki got the final out and save. Brady VanderWeele and Alex Hunt each had a pair of hits. TJ Klein cleared the bases with a triple.

Flying Dutchmen Sweep Saint in Non-League Action (4/16/13)
Hope 4, Aquinas 2 / Hope 6, Aquinas 3
Read MLive Account of Games
The Flying Dutchmen swept a non-league doubleheader over Aquinas in games played Tuesday at the Fifth Third minor league ballpark in Grand Rapids. Hope won the opener 4-2 and then took the nightcap 6-3 to improve to 17-10 on the season.
Hope 4, Aquinas 2: Three pitchers combined for the win. Starter Alex Luke (1-1) scattered nine hits over five innings followed by freshman Kyle Bernaciak and senior Jordan Carrigan who each in an inning of relief held Aquinas hitless. Carrigan recorded his Hope record 17th save. Hope's seven hits were spread across seven players.
Hope 6, Aquinas 3: The Flying Dutchmen rallied from a 3-2 deficit by scoring three runs in the third inning. Starter Phil Haywood (2-1) struck out eight batters in gaining the victory while freshman reliever Matt Glowacki gained his first collegiate save. Freshman Colton Curtiss had a pair of singles to lead Hope's five-hit attack.

MIAA Race Tightens as Flying Dutchmen Split Doubleheader (4/15/13)
Trine 7, Hope 4 / Hope 3, Trine 2 (8)
The MIAA has a race in baseball! Defending champion Adrian caught up with the Flying Dutchmen in the standings by sweeping a doubleheader from Calvin on Monday while Hope was splitting a pair with Trine. Hope and Adrian each stand 11-5 in the conference race with three four-game series remaining in the season. The Flying Dutchman (15-10) step outside the MIAA today for a non-conference doubleheader against Aquinas at the Fifth Third Ballpark in Grand Rapids.
Trine 7, Hope 4: The Flying Dutchmen were unable to hold a three-run lead as the Thunder scored seven unanswered runs. TJ Klein drove-in three runs with a two-run homer and RBI double while shortstop Alex Hunt added three singles.
Hope 3, Trine 2: Freshman second baseman Brady VanderWeele delivered a clutch two-out single in the bottom of the eighth inning for the game-winner. Alex Hunt had singled and advanced to second on a ground out to setup the game-winning play. Senior reliever Jordan Carrigan gained the victory holding Trine hitless over two innings. TJ Klein, Hunt and VanderWeele each had two hits.

Flying Dutchmen Keep Lead in MIAA Race With Split (4/13/13)
Hope 8, Trine 4 / Trine 7, Hope 2
The Flying Dutchmen split a doubleheader Saturday to remain a game ahead of the field in the MIAA race. Playing in adverse weather conditions, coach Stu Fritz's Dutchmen topped host Trine 8-4 in the opener, but dropped the nightcap 7-2. Midway through the conference race, Hope has a 10-4 record while Adrian and rival Calvin are a game behind (9-5). Hope is 14-9 overall. In the opener senior Cory Schmidt (4-2) went the distance scattering six hits. The top four batters in the Hope lineup accounted for 10 of Hope's 13 hits led by Eric Dawson and TJ Klein who each had three. In the nightcap, sophomore Currey Thomas (5-1) suffered his first loss of the season. TJ Klein and Eric Vachon each had a pair of hits.

MIAA Race Tightens as Flying Dutchmen Split Doubleheader (4/6/13)
Olivet 13, Hope 0 / Hope 2, Olivet 2
There is a tightening MIAA baseball race after the Flying Dutchmen split a home doubleheader with Olivet on Saturday. The visiting Comets prevailed in the opening game 13-0, but the Flying Dutch came back to win the nightcap 4-2. The teams split their four-game series. Hope continues to top the MIAA standings with a 9-3 record, but there are four teams right on their trail -- Albion (7-3), Calvin (8-4), Adrian (6-4) and Trine (6-4). Coach Stu Fritz's Dutchman have a 13-8 overall record.
Olivet 13, Hope 0: Hope's only hit off winner Jake Ball was a fourth inning two-out single by TJ Klein. Phil Haywood (1-1), the first of four Hope pitchers, took the loss.
Hope 4, Olivet 2: The Flying Dutchmen broke a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the sixth inning. Freshman Brady VanderWeele doubled home the game-winner. Senior Jordan Carrigan (3-1) recorded the win with two innings of relief. Starter Tom Tresh allowed just four hits after five innings. Collecting two hits apiece were junior Eric Vachon and freshman Luke Brower.

Flying Dutchmen Split League Doubleheader (4/5/13)
The Flying Dutchmen remain in first place in the MIAA standings after splitting a doubleheader at Olivet on Friday. The host Comets won the opener 5-3 while the Flying Dutchmen took the nightcap 4-1. Coach Stu Fritz's Dutchmen are 8-2 in league games and have an overall 12-7 record. The teams continue the four-game series on Saturday in Holland with the first pitch at 1 p.m.

Olivet 5, Hope 3: The Flying Dutchmen were unable to tak advantage of opportunity as they stranded 12 baserunners. Only one of Olivet's runs were earned as the Flying Dutchmen committed four fielding errors. Starters Cory Schmidt (3-2) took the loss. Freshman reliever Jake Chipka pitched two scoreless innings allowing just one hit. Leadoff batter Tim Bodine had a pair of hits, including a double.

Hope 4, Olivet1: Sophomore Currey Thomas (5-0) pitched his fifth straight complete game allowing just three hits. Leadoff hitter Tim Bodine had a pair of singles and was credited with three stolen bases.

Flying Dutchmen Split But Stay Atop MIAA Race (4/3/13)
Hope 5, Adrian 4 / Adrian 7, Hope 4
The Flying Dutchmen kept sole possession of first place in the MIAA baseball race by splitting a doubleheader Wednesday with defending conference champion Adrian. Coach Stu Fritz's Dutchmen won the opener 5-4 while Adrian salvaged the four-game series with a 7-4 victory in the nightcap. Hope is 7-1 in the MIAA, a game ahead of Albion (6-2) and two games over Adrian (5-3).

Hope 5, Adrian 4: Josh Kranz's RBI single broke a 4-4 tie in the fifth inning. Senior reliever Jordan Carrigan (2-1) held Adrian scoreless over the last two innings to preserve the victory. Leadoff hitter Tim Bodine batted 3-for-4 while Alex Hunt hit a clutch two RBI single in the third inning as the Flying Dutchmen rallied from a 4-1 deficit.

Adrian 7, Hope 4: The Bulldogs scored three times in the sixth inning to erase a 4-3 Hope lead. Reliever Matt Glowacki (0-1) took the loss. Starter Alex Luke scattered four hits over five innings. Collecting two hits apiece were Tim Bodine, Josh Kranz and Brady VanderWeele. Freshman Luke Brower hit his first collegiate homerun. Bodine batted 5-for-7 in the doubeheader.

Sweeps Put Flying Dutchmen Alone Atop MIAA Race (3/30/13)
Hope 16, Kalamazoo 2 / Hope 6, Kalamazoo 1
The Flying Dutchmen sit atop the MIAA standings after completing a four-game series sweep over Kalamazoo on Saturday. The 16-2 and 6-1 doubleheader wins puts coach Stu Fritz's Flying Dutchmen at 6-0 in the MIAA and at 10-5 overall. Defending MIAA champion Adrian is two games behind heading into a makeup doubleheader at Hope on Monday.

In the opener the Flying Dutchmen enjoyed their biggest offensive output of the season collecting 16 hits. Hope scored multiple runs in each of the first five innings. Senior starter Cory Schmidt (3-1) scattered five hits over five innings while freshman reliever Kyle Bernaciak pitched two scoreless stanzas. Hope's outfielders combined for eight hits. Tim Bodine and TJ Klein each had three while Josh Kranz had a pair.

Sophomore Currey Thomas (4-0) pitched his fourth complete game of the season allowing five hits. All of Hope's nine hits were singles with Eric Dawson, TJ Klein and Alex Hunt each collecting two.

Flying Dutchmen Stay Unbeaten in MIAA With Sweep (3/28/13)
Hope 12, Kalamazoo 11 / Hope 8, Kalamazoo 6
The Flying Dutchmen remained undefeated in conference play with a sweep over visiting Kalamazoo on Thursday, 12-11 and 8-6. Coach Stu Fritz's Dutchmen are 4-0 in MIAA games and have an 8-5 season record. The teams continue their four-game series on Saturday at Kalamazoo.

The opener was a marathon that consumed nearly three hours to play seven innings. The teams combined for 14 runs in the first inning. Hope gained an 11-6 lead after four innings. Kalamazoo battled back with a five-run fifth inning. The game-winner came in the bottom of the fifth on a bases-loaded walk. Senior Jordan Carrigan, Hope's career leader for saves, gained the pitching victory while freshman Matt Glowacki was credited with his first collegiate save with two scoreless innings. His battery-mate was his freshman brother Nick. Collecting two hits apiece were Eric Dawson, Alex Hunt and Bady VanderWeele. Dawson's hits were both doubles. Chris Blair hit a two-run homer.

The Flying Dutchmen overcame six fielding errors in gaining the sweep. Pitchers Tom Tresh and Austin Goodyke combined to throw a four-hitter with Tresh gaining the winning. Catcher Eric Vachon was credited with five RBIs behind a pair of doubles. Also collecting two hits were Eric Dawson, Tim Bodine and Josh Kranz.

Flying Dutchmen Begin League Play With Doubleheader Sweep (3/27/13)
Hope 2, Adrian 1 / Hope 8, Adrian 1
The Flying Dutchmen began conference play Tuesday by sweeping a doubleheader from defending MIAA champion Adrian. Two complete game pitching performances highlighted the 2-1 and 8-1 road victories. Coach Stu Fritz's Dutchmen have a 6-5 season record.

Hope did not trail in either game. In the opener, senior Cory Schmidt (2-1) gained the victory scattering six hits while striking out five and walking none. The Flying Dutchmen scored single runs in the second and third innings behind clutch RBI hits from Ben Pearson and Eric Dawson. In the nightcap, sophomore Currey Thomas (3-0) pitched his third complete game allowing just three singles while striking out five and walking two. Junior Tim Bodine's two run homerun in the third inning gave the Flying Dutchmen a 4-0 lead. Hope added four runs in the fifth inning. Bodine had three RBIs in the game while Ryan Konkle and Brady VanderWeele each had two. Designated hitter Devin Schaefers had a pair of singles.

Flying Dutchmen Bow in Final Florida Game (3/21/13)
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The Flying Dutchmen ended their series of games in Florida by suffering an 11-10 defeat to Allegheny, Pa. Coach Stu Fritz's Dutchmen return to Michigan with a 4-5 record. Jordan Carrigan, the second of five Hope pitchers suffered the loss. Leadoff hitter Tim Bodine led the offense by batting 3-for-5 while Luke Brower was 2-for-2.

Loss Puts Flying Dutchmen at .500 Mark (3/20/13)
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The Flying Dutchmen slipped to the .500 mark in games being played in Florida after suffering a 9-4 loss to SUNY-Oswego 9-4 on Wednesday. Coach Stu Fritz's Dutchmen are 4-4 with one game remaining on their spring break trip. The teams were tied 3-3 after six innings, but Oswego scored three runs in both the seventh and ninth innings. Tom Tresh, the second of four Hope pitchers, suffered the loss. Senior centerfielder TJ Klein batted 4-for-4 with two RBIs while shortstop Alex Hunt was 3-for-4 with three RBIs.

Flying Dutchmen Bats Alive in Twinbill Sweep (3/19/13)
The Flying Dutchmen had double-digit hits in each game as they swept a doubleheader from Grinnell, Iowa on Tuesday, 9-2 and 7-2. Coach Stu Fritz's Dutchmen had 24 hits in the games as they improved to 4-3 on their annual spring break trip.

Eric Dawson's first inning two-run homer set the tone in the opener. Freshman Ryan Konkle batted 3-for-3 with three RBIs. Starter Cory Schmidt gained the victory. Twin brothers Matt (pitcher) and Nick Glowacki (catcher) comprised Hope's battery in the sixth and seventh innings. In the second game, Currey Thomas pitched his second consecutive complete game victory striking out five and walking three. Junior Tim Bodine batted 3-for-4 while collecting two hits apiece were TJ Klein, Eric Vachon, and Ben Pearson.

Flying Dutchmen Bow to New York Opponent (3/18/13)
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Five Hope pitchers were unable to contain the bats of opponent Clarkson, N.Y. in suffering an 8-3 loss in Florida on Monday. Coach Stu Fritz's Dutchmen have a 2-3 season record. Starter Alex Luke was charged with the defeat allowing five runs over 4 2/3 innings.. Freshmen Kyle Bernaciak, Mitch Reitsma, Austin Goodyke and Brady VanderWeede each pitched an inning. Collecting two hits apiece were Eric Vachon, Eric Dawson and TJ Klein.

Flying Dutchmen Split Pair of Season-Opening Doubleheaders (3/16/13)
The Flying Dutchmen split a pair of season-opening doubleheaders in Florida on Friday and Saturday. Coach Stu Fritz's Dutchmen stand 2-2 on their spring break trip.

SATURDAY The Flying Dutchmen received a solid pitching effort in posting a 6-3 opening game victory over Mt. Union, Ohio , but let the nightcap slip away as Mt. Union rallied for a 9-5 triumph. Phil Haywood pitched the opening victory allowing just four hits over six innings while striking out six. The one run he allowed was unearned, Shortstop Alex Hunt collected a pair of hits and had three RBIs while TJ Klein had two stolen bases and scored twice. The Flying Dutchmen were headed to a sweep when Mt. Union scored nine times in their last at-bats. Starter Tom Tresh had a four-hit shutout and a 5-0 lead through six innings. Reliever Jordan Carrigan suffered the loss. Hope's eight hits -- all singles -- were scattered across eight players. Eric Dawson was credited with three RBIs. Game #1 / Game #2
FRIDAY:The Flying Dutchmen split a season opening doubleheader on Friday bowing to Spalding, Ky.10-3 in the opener and then coming back to win the second game 4-1 behind a solid pitching performance. Sophomore Currey Thomas went the distance scattering seven hits while striking out nine and walking just one. Junior second baseman Alex Hunt drove in two runs while batting two-for-three. T.J. Klein also batted 2-for-3 with double. In the opener Hope trailed just 2-1 after three innings but Spalding surged ahead with three runs in the fourth and five in the sixth. Starter Cory Schmidt took the loss allowing five runs over four innings. Junior first baseman Chris Blair (East Grand Rapids HS) batted three-for-three and had a stolen base. The doubleheader was the beginning of a weeklong series of games in Florida for coach Stu Fritz's Flying Dutchmen.

The Flying Dutchmen approach the 2013 season seeking to maintain the momentum of a string of successful campaigns.

A year ago coach Stu Fritz's Flying Dutchmen tied for second place in the regular season standings of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) and advanced to the finals of the first-ever conference tournament The team finished with a 24-20 season record. This marks the 20th season under coach Fritz. His teams have averaged better than 20 wins per season while winning eight conference championships.

Hope's pre-season roster of 31 players includes 18 returning letterwinners. The team consists of 12 freshmen, 3 sophomores, 10 juniors and six seniors.

The co-captains are junior Eric Dawson of Grand Haven (Midland HS), junior Josh Kranz of Carpentersville, Ill. (Jacobs HS), senior T.J. Klein of Circle Pines, Minn. (Centennial HS), and senior Alex Luke of Grand Rapids (East Grand Rapids HS).

The Flying Dutchmen return four players who were named to the 2012 All-MIAA second team -- senior second baseman Ty Peterson of Wheaton, Ill. (Warrenville South HS), junior third baseman Eric Dawson. senior outfielder T.J. Klein and senior pitcher Cory Schmidt of Milan, Ohio (Edison HS).

Dawson and Klein were one-two in batting for the Flying Dutchmen a year ago. Dawson batted .355, including 11 doubles, while Klein batted .335 with a team-best 34 RBIs. Dawson ranked among the toughest to strike out in all of NCAA Division with just four Ks in 160 at-bats. He has been in the top 20 in that category the past two seasons with just eight strikeouts in 202 at-bats. Senior pitcher Jordan Carrigan of Buchanan (Berrien Springs) is Hope's alltime career leader for saves (16) . Senior pitcher Cory Schmidt of Milan, Ohio (Edison HS), is coming off an outstanding season during which he posted a 6-2 record behind a 2.73 earned run average.

Other returning letterwinners include sophomore pitcher Currey Thomas of Grandville (Grandville HS), junior infielder Jacob Hunt of Holland (West Ottawa HS), junior shortstop Kevin Olson of Lake in the Hills, Ill. (Jacobs HS), junior outfielder Jordan Herman of Midland (Dow HS), sophomore infielder Devin Schaefers of Lake Forest, Calif. (El Toro HS), senior third baseman/catcher Curtis Drozd of Allegan (Allegan HS), sophomore third baseman/outfielder Ben Pearson of Madison, Wisc. (West HS), senior second baseman Ty Peterson of Wheaton, Ill. (Warrenville South HS), junior first baseman Chris Blair of Grand Rapids (East Grand Rapids HS), junior pitcher Phil Haywood of Grand Rapids (Forest Hills Northern HS), junior catcher Eric Vachon of Sterling Heights (De La Salle Ciollegiate HS), and junior pitcher Tom Tresh of Grand Rapids (North Point Christian HS).

The Flying Dutchmen play their games at the college's five-year-old Boeve Stadium.

Adam Clements, Ben Pearson, Zach Van Noord

2012 Team Honors (6/16/12)
MVP: Adam Clements, senior from Saline (Saline HS)
Rookie of the Year: Ben Pearson, freshman from Madison, Wisc. (West HS)
Dutchmen Award for overall contribution to team: Zach Van Noord, senior from Hudsonville (Hudsonville HS)
Captains-Elect: TJ Klein, junior from Circle Pines, Minn. (Centennial HS); Alex Luke, junior from Grand Rapids (East Grand Rapids HS); Eric Dawson, sophomore from Grand Haven (Midland HS); Josh Kranz, sophomore from Carpentersville, Ill. (Jacobs HS).

Flying Dutchmen Among Division III Stat Leaders (6/8/12)
Hope baseball players were among the final 2012 statistical leaders in NCAA Division III. There are 364 teams in NCAA Division III.