Unbeaten Hope College men's lacrosse wins MIAA title; women win, baseball pulls upset

The Hope baseball team hosts Calvin in the first game of a three-game series on Friday, April 24.

Hope's Nick Verduzco makes contact on the incoming pitch against Calvin on Friday, April 24.

The Hope baseball team hosts Calvin in the first game of a three-game series on Friday, April 24.

The Hope baseball team hosts Calvin in the first game of a three-game series on Friday, April 24.

The Hope baseball team hosts Calvin in the first game of a three-game series on Friday, April 24.

Hope’s Anthony Devito prepares to throw to first for the out against Calvin on Friday, April 24.

The Hope baseball team hosts Calvin in the first game of a three-game series on Friday, April 24.

The Hope baseball team hosts Calvin in the first game of a three-game series on Friday, April 24.

The Hope baseball team hosts Calvin in the first game of a three-game series on Friday, April 24.

Hope’s Anthony Devito fields a ground ball against Calvin on Friday, April 24.

The Hope baseball team hosts Calvin in the first game of a three-game series on Friday, April 24.

Hope's Owen Weber winds up for the pitch on Friday, April 24 as Hope battles Calvin.

The Hope baseball team hosts Calvin in the first game of a three-game series on Friday, April 24.

The Hope baseball team hosts Calvin in the first game of a three-game series on Friday, April 24.

Hope's Cade Seabaugh prepares for the pitch on Friday, April 24.

The Hope baseball team hosts Calvin in the first game of a three-game series on Friday, April 24.

The Hope baseball team hosts Calvin in the first game of a three-game series on Friday, April 24.

The Hope baseball team hosts Calvin in the first game of a three-game series on Friday, April 24.

Hope's Owen Weber winds up for the pitch on Friday, April 24 as Hope battles Calvin.

The Hope baseball team hosts Calvin in the first game of a three-game series on Friday, April 24.

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Hope Baseball vs Calvin Best Photos

Hope’s Anthony Devito rounds the bases after hitting a home run against Calvin on Friday, April 24.

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Hope Baseball vs Calvin Best Photos

Hope’s Anthony Devito rounds the bases after hitting a home run against Calvin on Friday, April 24.

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Hope Baseball vs Calvin Best Photos

The Hope baseball team hosts Calvin in the first game of a three-game series on Friday, April 24.

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Hope Baseball vs Calvin Best Photos

Hope’s Anthony Devito rounds the bases after hitting a home run against Calvin on Friday, April 24.

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Hope Baseball vs Calvin Best Photos

The Hope baseball team hosts Calvin in the first game of a three-game series on Friday, April 24.

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Hope Baseball vs Calvin Best Photos

Hope’s Cade Seabaugh makes the catch for an out against Calvin on Friday, April 24.

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Hope Baseball vs Calvin Best Photos

The Hope baseball team hosts Calvin in the first game of a three-game series on Friday, April 24.

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Hope Baseball vs Calvin Best Photos

Hope's Nick Verduzco makes contact on the incoming pitch against Calvin on Friday, April 24.

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Hope Baseball vs Calvin Best Photos

The Hope baseball team hosts Calvin in the first game of a three-game series on Friday, April 24.

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Hope Baseball vs Calvin Best Photos

The Hope baseball team hosts Calvin in the first game of a three-game series on Friday, April 24.

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Hope Baseball vs Calvin Best Photos

The Hope baseball team hosts Calvin in the first game of a three-game series on Friday, April 24.

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Hope Baseball vs Calvin Best Photos

Hope’s Anthony Devito prepares to throw to first for the out against Calvin on Friday, April 24.

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Hope Baseball vs Calvin Best Photos

The Hope baseball team hosts Calvin in the first game of a three-game series on Friday, April 24.

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Hope Baseball vs Calvin Best Photos

The Hope baseball team hosts Calvin in the first game of a three-game series on Friday, April 24.

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Hope Baseball vs Calvin Best Photos

The Hope baseball team hosts Calvin in the first game of a three-game series on Friday, April 24.

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Hope Baseball vs Calvin Best Photos

Hope’s Anthony Devito fields a ground ball against Calvin on Friday, April 24.

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Hope Baseball vs Calvin Best Photos

The Hope baseball team hosts Calvin in the first game of a three-game series on Friday, April 24.

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Hope gets two pitching gems vs Calvin but ninth-inning rally spoils second

Hope's Owen Weber winds up for the pitch on Friday, April 24 as Hope battles Calvin.

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Hope Baseball vs Calvin Best Photos

The Hope baseball team hosts Calvin in the first game of a three-game series on Friday, April 24.

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Hope Baseball vs Calvin Best Photos

The Hope baseball team hosts Calvin in the first game of a three-game series on Friday, April 24.

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Hope Baseball vs Calvin Best Photos

Hope's Cade Seabaugh prepares for the pitch on Friday, April 24.

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Hope Baseball vs Calvin Best Photos

The Hope baseball team hosts Calvin in the first game of a three-game series on Friday, April 24.

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Hope Baseball vs Calvin Best Photos

The Hope baseball team hosts Calvin in the first game of a three-game series on Friday, April 24.

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Hope Baseball vs Calvin Best Photos

The Hope baseball team hosts Calvin in the first game of a three-game series on Friday, April 24.

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Hope Baseball vs Calvin Best Photos

Hope's Owen Weber winds up for the pitch on Friday, April 24 as Hope battles Calvin.

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Hope Baseball vs Calvin Best Photos

The Hope baseball team hosts Calvin in the first game of a three-game series on Friday, April 24.

The Hope College men's lacrosse team remained unbeaten in NCAA Division III, beating rival Calvin 15-9 in the MIAA Tournament final on Friday, May 1.

Hope — one of three remaining undefeated teams in NCAA Division III and the first to reach 18-0 — clinched its fifth trip all-time to the NCAA Championships.

"Our big thing was our discipline is our destiny, so we went about it every day focused on the little things because they matter and they lead to championships like this," said senior Jack McNamara, who contributed a goal and an assist. "Was 18 and 0 something on our minds? No, because we're just about one day at a time and putting in the work. It paid off. I'm so grateful to do it with this group of seniors and this group of guys. It's been amazing."

Tied 7-7 after a save from All-MIAA senior goalie Jack Balmforth of Livonia, Michigan (Detroit Catholic Central), the Flying Dutchmen raced upfield and scored just 15 seconds later at the 10:13 mark. Sophomore midfielder Weston Godbold of Lowell, Michigan (Lowell), buried into the net off a pass from All-MIAA junior attack Gibson Heethuis of Hudsonville, Michigan (Hudsonville).

Twenty seconds later, Hope doubled its lead. All-MIAA long-stick midfielder and sophomore Tyler Berens of West Olive, Michigan (West Ottawa) forced a Calvin turnover after the faceoff, and Hope converted another quick strike opportunity. All-MIAA sophomore attack Preston Hoexum of Ada, Michigan (Forest Hills Eastern), scoring off an assist from MIAA Rookie of the Year and freshman midfielder Jackson Vasquez of Lake Orion, Michigan (Lake Orion).

The Hope College men's lacrosse team won the MIAA title over Calvin on Friday, May 1, to remain unbeaten.

Another Balmforth save had the Flying Dutchmen on the move again. All-MIAA junior attack Gibson Heethuis of Hudsonville, converted in transition, set up by Hoexum.

Calvin (13-4) called a timeout after the Heethuis goal, but Hope scored the next three goals for a 13-7 lead with 4:24 remaining in the third quarter.

Head coach Michael Schanhals was proud of how his team stuck to the game plan and never stopped looking for opportunities to unleash its transition game.

"It's how we play. We just had to stay true to who we are," Schanhals said. "It's very difficult to play against that and, after a while, we're going to get it. Calvin did a nice job of denying us some easy entry passes at first. We adjusted and found really beautiful ball movement from the guys. That comes from a lot of hard work and trusting each other. It looked effortless, but there's a lot of hard work that went into it."

Hope women's lacrosse wins fourth straight MIAA title

The senior class for the Hope College women's lacrosse team capped an unprecedented four-year run of domination in the MIAA Friday night, accounting for all but two of the Flying Dutch's goals as the Flying Dutch defeated Calvin University, 16-8, to win a record fourth consecutive MIAA Tournament championship.

The Flying Dutch, now 14-3 on the season, surpassed the previous record of three straight MIAA tournament titles set by Calvin in 2016-18 and earned the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championships. Hope will find out its first-round opponent during the NCAA selection show on Monday, May 4, at 2:30 p.m.

Senior attacker Julia Brown (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Forest Hills Central), senior midfielder Caleigh Randall (Lansing, Michigan / DeWitt), and senior midfielder Stella Bottum (Alto, Michigan/Caledonia) scored four goals apiece to lead the Flying Dutch attack as Hope never trailed in the game.

"Every single person on our team had a job to do. Every single year, the team has looked a little bit different, but we all know our jobs, and we do them very well," Randall said. "This group of seniors has made an impact, and we're very proud of how we're leaving this program going forward."

During this four-year run, Hope has posted a record of 52-20, including a 35-1 mark against MIAA opponents (27-1 in the regular season, 8-0 in tournament play), and has won four consecutive regular-season championships, including a co-championship with Calvin this season.

"I think it's a testament to our program and how hard we work and how bad we want it every day," head coach Keagan Pieri said. "Honestly, that's the coolest thing, to be rewarded at the end for the hard work that we constantly put in every day. Those girls deserve it."

Julia Brown scored twice and assisted on a tally by sophomore Sarah Rott (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Catholic Central) during a four-goal flurry in the first quarter that gave the Flying Dutch a 5-1 lead.

Calvin came back with a pair of goals, but Hope then shut out the Knights over the last 17 minutes of the first half, running off six unanswered goals for an 11-3 halftime lead. Calvin would get no closer than six goals in the second half.

In addition to Randall's four goals, she also won 10 draw controls, helping Hope dominate Calvin 19-7 in that category. Bottum scooped up four ground balls and caused two turnovers to go along with her four-goal effort.

Senior midfielder Sydney LaPrairie (Rochester, Michigan / Stoney Creek) scored two goals, while Rott added a goal and three assists. Sophomore midfielder Ireland Brown (DeWitt, Michigan / DeWitt) picked up four ground balls.

Senior goalkeeper Samantha Smith (Westfield, Indiana/Westfield) made eight saves in the cage for the Flying Dutch.

Randall spoke of the close-knit nature of the Hope senior class, which also includes defenders Caroline Curnutt (Fishers, Indiana / Indianapolis Heritage Christian), Ruby Heuermann (Granger, Indiana / Mishawaka Penn), and Carly Llewellyn (Spring Lake, Michigan/Spring Lake).

"[Since our] freshman year, we've grown into this bond. I think that we're all best friends, which makes that the coolest thing ever," Randall said. "I can tell you that I've never been on a team where the entire class is friends, and this senior class is all friends … We not only trust each other on the field, but we trust each other off the field. I knew whoever I was passing the ball to today, whoever was putting the ball in the back of the net, that we were all just proud of each other. Whether our seniors were on the sidelines or in the game, we were all proud of each other, and we all played a role in that."

Baseball ends season with upset win

Jace DeMann made his last play for the Hope College baseball team memorable.

The centerfielder caught the final out of a 13-8 victory against No. 17-ranked Adrian College on Saturday on Senior Day at Boeve Stadium before crashing into the right-center field fence.

The Flying Dutchmen finished the season on a winning note after dropping the first two games of the series at MIAA champion Adrian, 11-1 and 14-1, on Friday.

DeMann (Byron Center, Michigan / South Christian) came through with a running catch, ranging to his left after Adrian's Casey Finn threatened to start a two-out rally with the bases empty.

Before the game, Hope honored 11 seniors, including nine student-athletes: Nic Bender, Noah Bonnema, Brenden Collins, Jace DeMann, Collin Genuise, Ian Sanders, Charlie Saul, Cade Seabaugh, and Jacob Walther. Student assistants Christian Cropper and Kaden Jewett were recognized as well.

The Flying Dutchmen's first victory in the series since 2023 featured contributions from several seniors.

First baseman Cade Seabaugh blasted a three-run homer in the bottom of the first to cap a four-run rally. The senior from Ballwin, Missouri (Ladue Horton) homered for the sixth time this season and the 19th time in his career.

Senior right fielder Brendan Collins of Kalamazoo, Michigan (Hackett Catholic) smacked an RBI double in the third to extend Hope's lead to 5-0.

The Flying Dutchmen erupted for eight runs in the fourth for a 13-0 lead. Senior catcher Jacob Walther of Wixom, Michigan (Walled Lake Western) crushed a pitch to left-center for a three-run double.

Twelve batters went to the plate during the inning, with the first five reaching on four walks and one hit-by-pitch. Senior designated hitter Charlie Saul (Batavia, Illinois / Batavia) drew a bases-loaded walk. Saul went 2-for-4 with three runs scored and one RBI.

The offense was more than enough for starting pitcher Avery McEwen, who improved to 3-1. The sophomore right-hander from Ann Arbor, Michigan (Pioneer) scattered three hits and one run — on a Nic Bruder solo home run over 5.2 innings on the mound.

Hope ended the season with a 13-27 record and a 7-14 mark in MIAA play.

Men's, women's track finishes runner-up

The Hope College men's track & field team captured multiple conference titles and relay medals while finishing runner-up at the MIAA Outdoor Championships.

The Flying Dutchmen totaled 215 points over two days at Brewer Track to place second in the team standings behind Calvin University (238). Hope finished ahead of Trine University (116), The University of Olivet (71), Albion College (65), Adrian College (54), Alma College (33), and Kalamazoo College (25).

Six individual conference titles and a relay championship powered Hope.

Freshman Maurice Streeter (Kalamazoo, Michigan / Kalamazoo Central) led the way with two gold medals, winning the 100 meters in 10.58 seconds, a mark that ranks 37th in NCAA Division III this season.

Streeter also ran the Flying Dutchmen's 4x100 relay of Nolan Sanders (Midland, Michigan / H.H. Dow), Dylan Terpstra (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville), Streeter, and Luke Bellino (Brighton, Michigan / Brighton) captured the conference championship in 41.32 seconds to score 10 points. Head coach Jordan Bartolazzi said the relay victory helped set the tone early in the meet.

"The men's 4x100 relay getting the meet started the way it did was huge for us," Bartolazzi said. "I thought our team showed up and did everything they could throughout the weekend."

Terpstra, a junior, also added a first-place effort in the 400 meters, repeated as league champion in 48.48 seconds to score 10 points.

Senior Erickson Kunzler (Marne, Michigan / Catholic Central) claimed gold in the 800 meters for the consecutive aeason with a time of 1:53.90, adding 10 points.

Freshman Aiden Moore (Battle Creek, Michigan / Lakeview) earned the 1,500-meter title, crossing in 4:00.62 to secure another 10 points.

Freshman Aaron Hunt (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville) rounded out Hope's champions in the discus throw with a winning mark of 48.72 meters (159 feet, 10 inches), ranking 38th in NCAA Division III this season.

Sanders also placed second in the 100 meters with a time of 10.66 seconds to earn eight points.

Sophomore Kevin Barifagok (Las Vegas, Nevada / Cristo Rey Saint Viator) recorded a second-place finish in the 400-meter hurdles in 55.30 seconds, adding eight points.

Freshman Elijah Forbord (Howell, Michigan / Brighton) earned silver in the 5,000 meters with a time of 15:04.60 to score eight points.

Freshman Carter Marquard (Shelbyville, Michigan / Wayland) added another runner-up finish in the high jump, clearing 1.98 meters (6-6), a mark that ranks 71st in NCAA Division III this season.

The Flying Dutchmen closed the meet with a second-place finish in the 4x400 relay as Barifagok, Kunzler, Terpstra, and Bellino combined for a time of 3:25.17 to score eight points.

Streeter earned bronze in the 200 meters with a time of 21.85 seconds to score six points.

Sophomore Elias Kretchmar (Granville, Ohio / Granville) placed third in the 1,500 meters in 4:02.14 to add six points.

Sophomore Logan Lipka (Frankenmuth, Michigan / Frankenmuth) finished third in the 400-meter hurdles in 56.12 seconds, contributing six points. Lipka also added a point in the triple jump with an eighth-place effort (12.81m).

In the 200 meters, Terpstra placed sixth (22.04) and Sanders finished eighth (22.15).

In the 400 meters, senior Vamsee Vemana (Canton, Michigan / Plymouth) placed sixth (51.46) and Bellino finished eighth (53.47).

In the 800 meters, junior Tim Peterson (Portage, Michigan / Portage Northern) placed seventh (2:01.48). In the 1,500 meters, Peterson also added a sixth-place finish (4:03.59).

Hope's distance group added depth in the 5,000 meters with Kretchmar placing fourth (15:09.90), senior Carston Cole (Holland, Michigan / West Ottawa) finishing fifth (15:12.18), and senior Chad Perrine (Jackson, Michigan / Jackson) taking seventh (15:15.73).

In field events, senior Wil Pinkerton (Ann Arbor, Michigan / Pioneer) placed fourth in the javelin (47.76m), and junior Matthew Bir (Wenatchee, Washington / River Academy) finished fifth (47.57m).

Junior Henry Burnham (Carmel, Indiana / Carmel) added a sixth-place finish in the long jump (6.49m), while freshman Josh Bruxvoort (Holland, Michigan Holland / Christian) placed eighth (6.36m). Freshman Gavin Grover (Glen Ellyn, Illinois / St. Francis) contributed a fifth-place finish in the pole vault (4.16m).

The Hope College Athletics women's track & field team captured multiple conference championships and relay medals while finishing runner-up at the MIAA Outdoor Championships.

The Flying Dutch totaled 234 points to finish second in the team standings behind Calvin University (258). Hope finished ahead of Trine University (151), Albion College (45), Adrian College (41), Alma College (36), The University of Olivet (32), and Kalamazoo College (20).

Hope was powered by gold medals in the 400 meters, javelin throw, and the 4x400 relay.

Senior Sara Schermerhorn (Traverse City, Michigan / Traverse City West) led the Flying Dutch with multiple top-three finishes. She became Hope's first three-time outdoor 400-meter champion by clocking a time of 56.39 seconds for 10 points.

Schermerhorn also finished runner-up in the 200 meters in 24.27 seconds, the sixth-fastest time in NCAA Division III this season, and placed third in the 100 meters in 12.07 seconds, a mark that ranks 38th nationally.Sophomore Sofia Fisher (Lombard, Illinois / Montini Catholic) earned runner-up honors in the 100 meters with a time of 11.96 seconds, recording the 20th-fastest time in NCAA Division III this season. Fisher also added bronze in the 200 meters in 24.69 seconds, another mark that ranks 20th nationally in Division III. Head coach Jordan Bartolazzi praised Fisher's growth throughout the season.

"Sophia Fisher took a massive step forward this year," Bartolazzi said. "She really committed herself to track and field and getting better, and we saw that pay off this weekend."

Freshman Jaidyn Klimp (Galesburg, Michigan / Galesburg Augusta) turned in one of Hope's strongest all-around performances of the meet. Klimp captured the conference championship in the javelin throw with a toss of 35.19 meters (115 feet, 5 inches), placed second in the 400 meters in 58.12 seconds, finished third in the high jump after clearing 1.59 meters (5-2½), and added a sixth-place finish in the 100-meter hurdles in 15.11 seconds.

Bartolazzi also credited Klimp and Schermerhorn for their willingness to compete in multiple events throughout the meet.

"Jaidyn Klimp and Sara Schermerhorn did everything they could for our team," Bartolazzi said. "The number of events they competed in and the effort they gave all weekend was huge for us."

The Flying Dutch closed the meet with a conference championship in the 4x400 relay for the fourth consecutive season. Klimp, senior Frances Cozzens (Lyman, New Hampshire / Saint Johnsbury Academy), freshman Savana Monville (Auburn, Michigan / Bay City Western), and Schermerhorn combined for a winning time of 3:56.02, a mark that ranks 38th in NCAA Division III this season.

Freshman Savana Monville (Auburn, Michigan / Bay City Western) earned silver in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:04.80, ranking 72nd nationally in NCAA Division III this season. Monville also added a seventh-place finish in the 100 meters.

Sophomore Olivia Ippel (St. Joseph, Michigan / St. Joseph) earned silver in the 5,000 meters in 17:11.84 to score eight points, while junior Mary England (Kalamazoo, Michigan / Kalamazoo Central) added a third-place finish in 17:21.87.

Junior Amanda Markham (Hoffman Estates, Illinois / William Fremd) placed third in the 800 meters in 2:17.27 to score six points, while freshman Miranda Sawvel (Laramie, Wyoming / Centennial) added a sixth-place finish in 2:20.60.

Sophomore Lydia Rowe (Livonia, Michigan / Adlai E. Stevenson) placed fourth in the 100-meter hurdles in 15.04 seconds.

Freshman Eliana Kotsonis (Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin / Hamilton) placed fourth in the 400-meter hurdles in 1:08.85 and seventh in the triple jump at 10.68 meters (35-0½).

In field events, freshman Anna Tilden (Rockford, Michigan / Rockford) placed fourth in the discus throw, senior Natalie Christnagel (Glen Ellyn, Illinois / Glenbard West) finished fourth in the high jump, and freshman Kennedy Anderson (Naperville, Illinois / Naperville North) added a seventh-place finish in the same event.

Senior Karly Roelofs (Kingsley, Michigan / Kingsley Area) added a third-place finish in the javelin throw, freshman Riley Gruppen (Zeeland, Michigan / Zeeland East) placed sixth, and senior Meredith Kramer (Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan / Grosse Pointe South) contributed an eighth-place finish in the triple jump.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Hope College men's lacrosse wins MIAA title over Calvin; women win