Senior Laura Tjepkema is an Academic All-American (5/21/13)
Hope's All-time Academic All-Americans
For the second time in her career, senior Laura Tjepkema of Dorr (South Christian HS) has been named a Capital One Softball Academic All-American. An education major with a special education emphasis she is a first team honoree after having been named to the third team as a junior. Tjepkema maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average over her collegiate career. She was a two-time all-conference (MIAA) first team honoree and received All-Region honors as a senior.continue

Senior Laura Tjepkema Receives All-Region Honors
An outstanding senior season and collegiate career by Hope outfielder Laura Tjepkema is being recognized with her selection to the Great Lakes All-Region second team by the National Fastpitch Coaches Associaiton (NFCA).

The all-region honorees come from NCAA Division III teams in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania,

The rightfielder was outstanding in the field and at the plate. Starting in all 36 of the team's games, she was errorless and was credited with nine putout assists. She batted a team-leading .380 and was the leader in RBIs, extra base hits and total bases. She was a perfect 9-for-9 in stolen bases.

Tjepkema went into the Hope recordbook ranked in the top ten in several categories. She batted .358 over her career and finished third alltime in RBIs (109), fifth in total hits (162), and sixth in runs scored (87). She had the second best stolen base success rate (.951) over her four years. She earlier was named to the Co-SIDA Capital One academic all-district team. She was a special educaiton major who maintained a 4.0 grade point average. She was named a CoSIDA Academic All-American as a junior and is a candidate for the honor this year, She was an All-MIAA first team honoree in both 2012 and 2013.

All-MIAA Honors Presented to Hope Players
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).

Walkoff Homeruns Doom Flying Dutch at MIAA Tournament (5/2/13)
Trine 2, Hope 1 / Adrian 3, Hope 1
The season came to an end in the most dramatic way for the Hope College softball team Thursday as the Flying Dutch were eliminated from the MIAA tournament on a pair of walkoff homeruns.

Homeruns in the bottom of the seventh inning resulted in losses first to host Trine, 2-1, and then in the elimination game to Adrian, 3-1. Trine's Lauren Harris hit the first pitch over the fence for the dramatic opening game victory while Adrian's Karissa DeVore slugged her team's game-winner with one out in the bottom of the seventh.

The losses spoiled outstanding pitching efforts for Hope hurlers. In the opener Kate Laverty (5-9) had a two-hitter going against the nationally ranked Thunder. In the Adrian game Natalie Hiser (10-6) stranded nine Adrian baserunners. Hope had two stolen bases in the games to raise their school-record season total to 97. The Flying Dutch finish with a 17-19 record.

MIAA Honors Freshman Autumn Anderson (4/30/13)
The MIAA has named Hope outfielder Autumn Anderson its softball Position Player of the Week. A freshman from Wayland (Wayland HS), hit .529 (18-for-34), stole 11 bases without being thrown out, scored 14 runs and had six RBIs in 10 games for the Flying Dutch last week. She went 4-for-5 and swiped three bases in an 8-7, 9-inning loss to Adrian, and went 4-for-4 with three runs scored in an 8-0 road victory at Alma that helped Hope secure a spot in this week’s MIAA tournament. Anderson led the MIAA in stolen bases this season with 16 in league play, again without being thrown out. She was a major contributor to the team's school-record 95 steals this season. She is being honored as Player of the Week for the first time in her career.

Flying Dutch Gain Berth in MIAA Tournament (4/27/13)
Hope 12, Calvin 7 / Calvin 4, Hope 3 (9)
The Flying Dutch are headed to the conference tournament even after splitting a doubleheader with rival Calvin on Saturday. The Flying Dutch won the opener 12-7, but were edged by the Knights 4-3 in nine innings to drop into a tie for fourth place in the MIAA standings with Saint Mary's. Meanwhile, the Belles were defeated twice by Alma on Saturday creating the tie with Hope. The tie-breaker went to Hope advancing the Flying Dutch to the conference tournament next week.
1st Game Highlights: In the opener, a nine-run fourth inning sparked the Flying Dutch victory. Hitting homeruns for the Flying Dutch were Julie Sobieski and Jess Kohlhoff. Kate Laverty pitched the victory. 2nd Game Highlights: The Flying Dutch rallied in the seventh to force their fourth extra-inning game of the season. The Knights got the game-winner in the bottom of the ninth ending Hope's 16-game winning streak in the rivalry. The Flying Dutch collected eight stolen bases in the doubleheader to raise their season total to a record 95.

Flying Dutch Split to Stay in Tourney Race (4/26/13)
Alma 3, Hope 1 / Hope 8, Alma 0 (6)
The Flying Dutch are still in the hunt for a berth in the conference tournament after splitting a doubleheader at Alma on Friday. The host Scots won the opener 3-1 while the Flying Dutch took the nightcap behind a "mercy rule" 8-0 margin. Heading into Saturday's regular season finale, coach Mary Vande Hoef's Flying Dutch need a pair of victories over rival Calvin as well as some help from Alma who hosts Saint Mary's to gain entry into next week's conference tournament. Trine (14-0) has clinched the conference title while Alma is in the tournament with an 11-3 record. Saint Mary's (9-5), Adrian (9-5) and Hope (8-6) are still battling for the tournament's third and fourth spots. Playing their fourth doubleheader in as many days, the Flying Dutch remained .500 on the season at 16-16.
Alma 3, Hope 1: Alma's three-run first inning stood up the entire game. Kate Laverty pitched a strong game allowing just five hits while striking out three and walking none. Leadoff hitter Autumn Anderson had two os Hope's four hits.
Hope 8, Alma 0: The Flying Dutch posted their seventh "mercy rule" victory of the season behind a 13-hit attack. Natalie Hiser scattered five hits to improve to 10-4 on the season. Autumn Anderson had another strong leadoff performance going 4-for-4. Emma Page's two-run homer highlightad a five-run second inning. Page, Laura Tjepkema and Julie Sobieski each had two hits.

Flying Dutch Keep Tournament Hopes Alive (4/25/13)
Hope 15, Albion 8 / Hope 8, Albion 0 (5)
The Flying Dutch swept a doubleheader over host Albion on Thursday, 15-8 and 8-0. Coach Mary Vande Hoef's Dutch improved to 7-5 in MIAA games and stand .500 (15-15) on the season heading into a doubleheader at Alma on Friday.
Hope 15, Albion 8: The Flying Dutch scored a season-high 15 runs behind a season-best 19 hits with seven players collecting more than one hit. Albion had a 4-3 lead after three innings when the Flying Dutch exploded for nine runs in the fourth. Collecting three hits apiece were Jen Buckingham, Laura Tjepkema and Kelsey Cooper while credited with two were Autumn Anderson, Jenna Maury, Peyton Wells and Kate Laverty. Hope had nine extra base hits in the game highlighted by homeruns from Maury and Wells. Laverty (4-7) was the winning pitcher with relief help from Jess Kohlhoff. Leadoff hitter Jen Buckingham was credited with three stolen bases.
Hope 8, Albion 0: The Flying Dutch scored their sixth "mercy rule" victory of the season as Natalie Hiser pitched a four-hit shutout to improve to 9-4 on the season. Hope led 6-0 after two innings and added single runs in the fourth and fifth to end the game early. Senior Laura Tjepkema had four RBIs behind a pair of hits. She batted 5-for-8 in the doubleheader to raise her season batting average to .420. Catcher Adalee Robertson batted 3-for-3 in the eighth spot. Jen Buckingham stole a base to raise her total to 26 which is just three shy of the Hope single season record.

Flying Dutch Bow Twice in League Play (4/24/13)
Adrian 10, Hope 5 / Adrian 8, Hope 7 (9)
Hope's marathon week of games was marred by visiting Adrian Wednesday as the Bulldogs swept a doubleheader over the Flying Dutch. Adrian took the nightcap 10-5 and then in extra innings captured the nightcap 8-7. Coach Mary Vande Hoef's Dutch are 5-5 in conference games and stand 13-15 overall heading into their third consecutive day of play at Albion on Thursday. The Flying Dutch also have games scheduled for Friday (at Alma) and Saturday (Calvin home).
Adrian 10, Hope 5: The Bulldogs took advantage of a pair of three-run homers. The Flying Dutch were led by Laura Tjepkema who was 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Starter Kate Laverty took the loss.
Adrian 8, Hope 7 (9): The Flying Dutch were within an out of victory when Adrian's Kelsey Meyer hit her second homerun of the game to tie the game and send it into extra innings. The Flying Dutch collected 12 hits in the game, but committed six fielding errors. Collecting two hits apiece were Jenna Maury, Emma Page and Jen Buckingham. Maury hit her first collegiate homerun. Buckingham had three stolen bases in the doubleheader to raise her season total to 22.

Flying Dutch Stay at .500 With MIAA Split (4/23/13)
Saint Mary's 3, Hope 1/ Hope 8, Saint Mary's 2
The Flying Dutch started a marathon week of games by splitting a doubleheader with Saint Mary's on Monday. The host Belles won the opener 3-1 while the Flying Dutch took the nightcap 8-2. Coach Mary Vande Hoef's Dutch are 5-3 in MIAA games and 13-13 overall. Between Monday and this coming Saturday the Flying Dutch are scheduled to play 10 games. They have a doubleheader at Alma today.
Saint Mary's 3, Hope 1: Hope led 1-0 until the fifth inning when the Belles scored three times. Kate Laverty (3-6) suffered the pitching loss. Laura Tjepkema had a pair of hits, including a triple.
Hope 8, Saint Mary's 2: Pitcher Natalie Hiser (8-3) scattered six hits while her teammates collected 11 hits, including four for extra bases. Laura Tjepkema batted 3-for-4, including two doubles. She had five hits in the doubleheader to raise her team-leading batting average to .386. Freshman shortstop Jenna Maury also had three hits. Collecting two hits were leadoff batter Autumn Anderson and Kelsey Cooper who hit her second homerun of the season.

Flying Dutch Bow to Nationally Ranked Thunder (4/16/13)
Trine 7, Hope 0 / Trine 6, Hope 0
Nationally ranked Trine posted a pair of shutout victories over the Flying Dutch on Tuesday, 7-0 and 6-0. Coach Mary VandeHoef's Dutch are 4-2 in MIAA games and have a 12-12 season record. In the opener Trine pitcher Andi Gasco was an out away from recording a no-hitter. It was spoiled by Hope pinch hitter Julie Sobieski's single to right-center field. Trine, ranked fourth in Division III, had six homeruns in the doubleheader. In the nightcap, third baseman Kelsey Cooper had two of Hope's three hits.

Flying Dutch Lose a Pair in Non-League Play (4/8/13)
Aquinas 8, Hope 5 (8) / Aquinas 8, Hope 1
Hope's six-game winning streak was ended by visiting Aquinas on Monday. The Saints won the opener in eight innings 8-5 and took the nightcap 8-1. Coach Mary VandeHoef's Flying Dutch have a 12-10 season record.
Aquinas 8, Hope 5: The Flying Dutch sent the game into extra innings when Autumn Anderson's triple brought home the tying run in the bottom of the seventh. Aquinas came back with five runs in the top of the eighth. Kelsey Cooper's first collegiate homerun in the bottom of the eighth cut the margin, but it was not enough. Collecting two hits apiece for Hope were Autumn Anderson, Laura Tjepkema and Peyton Wells,
Aquinas 8, Hope 1: The Flying Dutch were limited to three hits as Rebecca Shineldecker (5-8) picked up her second victory of the day, this time in a starting role. Hope starter Jeff Kohlhoff (1-2) suffered the loss. Peyton Wells had two singles for the Dutch while Autumn Anderson added a double.

Flying Dutch Extend Winning Streak to Six (4/6/13)
Hope 8, Kalamazoo 0 / Hope 12, Kalamazoo 1
The Flying Dutch extended their winning streak to six and remained unbeaten in conference games by posting a pair of "mercy" victories over visiting Kalamazoo on Saturday, 8-0 and 12-1. In college softball the game ends if a team has an eight-run lead after five innings. Coach Mary Vande Hoef's Flying Dutch are 4-0 in the MIAA and 12-8 overall.
Hope 8, Kalamazoo 0: Freshman Kate Laverty (3-3) pitched a three-hit shutout striking out three and walking one. Hope's eight-hit attack was led by Jen Buckingham and Jess Kohlhoff with two apiece. Buckingham also stole two bases to raise her season total to 18.
Hope 12, Kalamazoo 1: Sophomore Natalie Hiser (7-2) scattered six hits and stranded nine Kalamazoo baserunners. The Flying Dutch had a season-high 17 hits. Seven players had multiple-hits led by freshman Autumn Anderson with three including a pair of doubles. Also collecting two doubles were freshman Jenna Maury and sophomore Kelsey Cooper. Sophomore Peyton Wells hit her second homerun of the season.

Flying Dutch Sweep Doubleheader in MIAA Opener (4/4/13)
Hope 11, Olivet 0 / Hope 8, Olivet 0
The Flying Dutch opened conference play Thursday by posting a pair of mercy-rule shutout victories over host Olivet, 11-0 and 8-0. Coach Mary Vander Hoef's Dutch extended their winning streak to four games and have a 10-8 season record. After playing 18 games on the road, the Flying Dutch will finally be at home when they host Kalamazoo on Saturday.

Hope 11, Olivet 0: Freshman Kate Laverty (2-3) pitched her second straight victory allowing four hits while striking out four and walking none. The Flying Dutch scored five unearned runs in the second innings and added three more in both thee fourth and fifth to cause the early end. Hope's 12-hit attack was led by catcher Emma Page and third baseman Kelsey Cooper who each had three hits. Laverty helped her own cause with a double and triple.

Hope 8, Olivet 0: Sophomore Natalie Hiser and senior Jess Kohlhoff combined to pitch a five hit shutout. Starter Hiser (6-2) gained the victory with six strikeouts over just four innings. As in the first game, the Hope pitchers did not walk a batter. Collecting two hits apiece were Autumn Anderson, Emma Page, Laura Tjepkema and Kristin Higgs.

Flying Dutch Win Two Over Wheaton Thunder (3/29/13)
Hope 5, Wheaton 3 / Hope 6, Wheaton 1
The wait was worth it as the Flying Dutch posted a pair of non-league victories over host Wheaton on Thursday, 5-3 and 6-1. After having games cancelled twice early in the week and unable to play on their home diamond because of poor field conditions, coach Mary Vande Hoef's Dutch boarded the bus and headed to Illinois for the games. They were rewarded with the victories to move to 8-8 on the season.

In the opener the Flying Dutch broke a 1-1 tie with a four-run sixth inning. Freshman pitcher Kate Laverty gained her first collegiate victory with some late-inning help from Natalie Hiser. Leadoff hitter Jen Buckingham had three hits while Autumn Anderson and Laura Tjepkema each had two.

In the nightcap Hiser went the distance for her fifth victory in seven decisions. She struck out seven batters and walked none. Autumn Anderson and Adalee Robertson each had three hits. Robertson was credited with three RBIs.

Flying Dutch Suffer Losses on Final Day in Florida (3/22/13)
The Flying Dutch suffered a pair of losses on their final day of spring break games in Florida. The team's four-game winning streak was snapped first by Lawrence, Wisc. 5-2 and then Manchester, Ind. 7-6. Coach Mary Vande Hoef's Dutch went 5-5 in their Florida games and will approach the regular season with a 6-8 record. In the Manchester game, leadoff hitter Jen Buckingham batted 3-for-4 while Laura Tjepkema and Peyton Wells each had a pair of hits. Against Lawrence, pitchers Jess Kohlhoff and Olivia Vacik allowed only three hits.

Flying Dutch Extend Winning Streak to Four (3/21/13)
The Flying Dutrch moved to the .500 mark (6-6) for the first time this season winning a pair of games on Thursday in Florida. Coach Mary Vande Hoef's Dutch, who has now won four in-a-row, began the day with an 8-3 victory over SUNY-Geneseo and followed with a five inning 8-0 mercy win over Maclester, Minn.

Sophomore Natalie Hiser was credited with both pitching victories, the first game in relief and the second game as the starter. In the win over Geneseo the teams were tied 3-3 after three innings. Kristin Higgs led off the fourth with a single and Jess Kohlhoff was hit by a pitch. A double steal moved the runners to second and third. A fielder's choice out brought Higgs home with the go-ahead run. Hiser and sophomore Olivia Vacik combined to pitch a three-hit shutout over Macalester. No Hope batter had multiple hits in either game. Collecting two RBIs on a pinch-hit single in the opener was Julie Sobieski while Peyton Wells had a pair of RBIs in the second game.

Flying Dutch Sweep Opponents in Florida (3/19/13)
Hope 5, Allegheny 3
The Flying Dutch had their best day of the young season posting a pair of victories in Florida on Tuesday. In an important in-region game, coach Mary Vande Hoef's Dutch defeated Allegheny, Pa. 5-3 and then came back to edge SUNY-Oswego 7-5. The Flying Dutch are 3-3 in their Florida games and 4-6 overall. Against Allegheny the Flying Dutch snapped a 3-3 tie with a pair of runs in the fifth, highlighted by Laura Tjepkema's two RBI-single. Sophomore Olivia Vacik gained the pitching victory in relief of starter Kate Laverty while sophomore Natalie Hiser was credited with a save. Hiser came back to gain the win as the starter in the second game while senior Jess Kohlhoff was credited with a save. Hope's season-high 11-hit attack was led by sophomore Peyton Wells who had three RBIs behind a two-run homer and a single. Also credited with two hits were freshman Jen Buckingham, Tjepkema and sophomore Adalee Robertson.

Flying Dutch Split Games in Florida (3/18/13)
Hope 5, Framingham 1
The Flying Dutch split a doubleheader in games played against Massachusetts opponents in Florida on Monday. Coach Mary Vande Hoef's Dutch opened the day with a 5-1 victory over Framingham State, but suffered a 6-5 loss to Amherst. The Flying Dutch have a 2-6 season record. Against Framingham sophomores Olivia Vacik and Natalie Hiser combined to throw a two-hitter. Hiser was credited with the win in relief after pitching four hitless innings. Freshman Kate Laverty led Hope's six-hit attack with a sinlge and a double while senior Laura Tjepkema drove in two runs and freshman Jen Buckingham had two stolen bases. Against Amherst, sophomore Kelsey Cooper had three of Hope's seven hits. Laverty suffered the pitching defeat.

Flying Dutch Suffer Two Losses in Florida Games (3/16/13)
Babson 6, Hope 2
The Flying Dutch suffered a pair of defeats in the first of their spring break games in Florida on Saturday. Babson, Mass. topped the Flying Dutch 6-2 in the opener while Washington & Jefferson, Pa. took the second game 4-2. Coach Mary Vande Hoef's Dutch have a 1-4 season record. Hope was held to a pair of doubles by Jen Buckingham and Peyton Wells. Starter Natalie Hiser suffered the loss.

Flying Dutch Open Season at Indoor Tournament (3/2/13)
Hope 6, UW-Superior 0 Box / UW-LaCrosse 7, Hope 3 Box
UW-Oshkosh 9, Hope 5 Box / UW-River Falls 14, Hope 1 Box
The Flying Dutch won one of four games in a season-opening tournament played indoors at the Superior Dome in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Coach Mary Vande Hoef's Dutch split their Friday games defeating UW-Superior 6-0, but bowing to UW-Lacrosse 7-3. On Saturday the Flying Dutch bowed to UW-Oshkosh 9-5 and UW-River Falls 14-1.

Flying Dutch Split Season-Opening Games (2/22/13)
Hope 6, UW-Superior 0 Box / UW-LaCrosse 7, Hope 3 Box
The Flying Dutch split a pair of season-opening games on Friday. Playing indoors in the Superior Dome in Marquette, coach Mary Vande Hoef's Dutch opened the season with a 6-0 victory over UW-Superior but lost their second game to UW-LaCrosse 7-3.

Senior Jess Kohlhoff gained the opening victory with five shutout innings while freshman Kate Laverty pitched the final two innings. Hope scored three times in the first inning highlighted by Peyton Wells' two-RBI single.

In the loss, LaCrosse scored six times in the third inning off losing pitcher Natalie Hiser. Collecting two hits apiece were Laura Tjepkema and Kate Laverty. Action continues Saturday with two more games.

The Flying Dutch return a corps of letterwinners who will be seeking to get their team back in the conference tournament. The 2012 team missed by just one game the opportunity to play in the NCAA qualifier, finishing 9-7 in conference play and 17-20 overall.

Coach Mary VandeHoef begins her third season with a pre-season roster that includes 14 returning letterwinners. There are eight freshmen, 10 sophomores, one junior and four seniors.

Co-captains of the team are senior Molly Collins of Houghton Lake (Houghton Lake HS), junior Emma Page of Portage (Portage Central HS), and senior Laura Tjepkema of Dorr (South Christian HS).

Other returning letterwinners include senior pitcher Jess Kohlhoff of Reed City (Reed City HS), sophomore utility player Becca Phillips of Wayland (Wayland HS), senior infielder Kristin Higgs of Sturgis (Sturgis HS), sophomore infielder Montana Bredeweg of Wayland (Wayland HS), sophomore pitcher/infielder Natalie Hiser of Westland (Livonia Churchill HS), sophomore catcher Adalee Robertson of Flushing (Flushing HS), sophomore infielder Jenny Langill of Wheaton, Ill. (Wheaton Warrenville South HS), sophomore infielder Kelsey Cooper of Romeo (Romeo HS), sophomore infielder Peyton Wells of Rockford (Rockford HS), sophomore pitcher Olivia Vacik of Bollingbrook, Ill. (Neuqua Valley HS), and sophomore infielder Natalie Leahy of Winfield, Ill. (Wheaton North HS).

Returning All-MIAA honorees include rightfielder Laura Tjepkema who was named to the first team and catcher Emma Page and first baseman Peyton Wells who received second team recognition. Tjepkema was also named a 2012 Capital One Softball Academic All-American.

Hope players were among the 2012 statistical leaders in NCAA Division III. (over 400 teams). Emma Page ranked 69th in the toughest to strikeout category (4 strikeouts in 142 at-bats) while Jess Kohlhoff ranked 19th in the fewest walks allowed and 78th in fewest walks allowed per seven innings pitched (23 in 122 innings pitched). She was also ranked in earned run average (#313 at 3.92) and shutouts (#151 with 3). Kelsey Cooper was ranked 180th in sacrifice flies.

The Flying Dutch will get an early start on the season when they play in a unique indoor tournament in late February at the Superior Dome in Marquette, Mich. The annual spring break trip will take the Flying Dutch to Florida for a weeklong series of games in March. Hope will play its home games in the modern Wolters Softball Stadium, named in honor of former coach Karla Wolters and her husband Tom.

Olivia Vacik, Molly Collins, Brooke Nienhuis

2012 Team Honors Announced (6/12/12)