The snow keeps softball guessing

HAYLEY REITSMA — Catcher Haley Reitsma (‘18) dominates her position at home plate.

The Flying Dutch swept two games against Olivet College this past Wednesday, upping their overall record to 18-3 and their MIAA record 4-0.

After a snowy start to the week, the team was finally able to play. The standout player of the game, now named player of the week, was catcher Hayley Reitsma (‘18). Reitsma scored two home runs in the doubleheader against Olivet.

In the first game, Reitsma, third basemen Morgann Kanouse (‘21) and Jo Cook (‘21) scored for Hope. Olivet went down 3-0, as Sydney Jones (‘19) pitched her sixth shutout of the season. This puts Jones at 21 shutouts for her whole career, which is more than any Hope pitcher of all time.

In the second game, Reitsma was able to lead a two-run homer, helping the Flying Dutch score four runs in the fifth inning. Shay Pinhey (‘19) hit a two-run single just two batters before the play.

Reitsma commented on the game: “It always feels great to perform well and get the wins; I thought it was big that our team kept finding ways to score in later innings (of the second game) because it allowed us  to hold on for the win in the 7th inning. Every game really matters in MIAA softball since our conference is super strong this year. We’ve been practicing hard to stay in a solid offensive  rhythm, and we’re always finding ways to be tougher to beat as a team, so I can’t wait to take on the rest of our regular season schedule.”

Reitsma has received the  honor of MIAA Softball Position Player of the Week as of Monday. This is the first time she has earned this title in her career. As a senior, Reitsma has been batting to the best of her abilities, hitting a career high of six home runs on the season. Reitsma also set a school record against Albion this season, with 14 bases during the 9-0 win for the second game of another doubleheader on April 10.

The team has had to keep a good amount of this season‘s training inside, waiting for games to be rescheduled due to Holland’s frigid weather. Student Assistant Ashley Ables (‘18) describes how training has been going: “We’ve been keeping positive about the weather and games getting moved around. We’re using the extra practices to get better and work on things we need. When game day comes, whenever that is, we’re excited to show up and get to work. So we’re just taking it day by day and keeping our heads up.”

The women will play against St. Mary’s College tomorrow (Thursday) at home at Wolters Softball Stadium. Make sure to come out and support the team! They will also travel to Trine University on Saturday afternoon for two more games this weekend. Go Dutch!