HOLLAND, Mich. – The Trine University baseball team threatened a comeback in the top of the ninth but came up just short dropping their series opener against Hope College by the score of 2-1.
Sophomore Josh Hoogewerf (Crown Point, Ind. / Crown Point) got the start for the Thunder and continued his great season on the mound. He would go five innings and a third innings allowing just two hits on four hits and two walks, while striking out two.
The first run for the Flying Dutch came in the bottom of the fourth inning. The leadoff batter singled and then moved to third on another single before coming home on a sacrifice fly. The team would work the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth before again scoring on a sacrifice fly, giving Hope a 2-0 lead after six innings.
Junior Jeff Ballard (Munster, Ind. / Munster) relieved Hoogewerf during the sixth inning and recorded the final two outs and then finished the seventh as well. He would allow just two hits while striking out a pair. Noah Brettin (Rolling Prairie, Ind. / New Prairie) then pitched the eighth inning.
The Thunder finally got the offense going in the top of the ninth inning. Senior Brenden Warner (Richland, Mich. / Hackett Catholic Prep) led off the inning with a single, before moving to third when sophomore Dalton Nikirk (Bedford, Ind. / Bedford North Lawrence) scored a double in the next at-bat.
Junior Matt Weis (Trenton, Ill. / Triad) would then bring in the run with a single, leaving runners on the corner and one out on the board. Unfortunately, the next two batters would go down to the new pitcher for the Flying Dutch and the game would end at 2-1 in favor of the home team.
Trine falls to 14-21 overall and 9-10 in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play following the loss. They are scheduled to continue their series against Hope tomorrow, Friday, May 6 with a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.