ADRIAN, Mich.- The Adrian College softball team hosted Hope College on Wednesday evening where the Bulldogs and the Flying Dutch split the two-game series 7-2 and 16-7.

HOW IT HAPPENED GAME 1:

Hope came out strong in the opening game of the doubleheader, jumping to an early lead with three runs through the first three innings. Adrian responded in the fourth, with Maggie Leveille driving in a run on a single to chip away at the deficit.

However, Hope's offense stayed steady, tacking on two more runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to extend their lead. In the bottom of the fifth, Meghan Lupu reached on a miscue by the pitcher, allowing Taylor Gerhardt to cross the plate and give Adrian its second run of the game.

Despite some solid at-bats, that would be all the offense Adrian could muster, as Hope secured the 7-2 victory in game one.

Abbi Patton put in a solid effort in the circle, going five innings, allowing three earned runs, and striking out four.

HOW IT HAPPENED GAME 2

Game two was a completely different story for the Bulldogs, as their offense came alive in a big way. Adrian exploded for eight runs in a massive second inning, setting the tone early and taking control of the game.

The momentum continued in the third when Abbie Hoff capped off her standout day with a towering grand slam, extending Adrian's lead to 12-4 after just three innings of play.

Hope showed signs of life with a three-run fourth inning, but Adrian's bats stayed hot. The Bulldogs put the game out of reach with four more runs in the sixth, powering their way to a dominant 16-7 win and earning a split in the doubleheader against Hope College.

Abbie Hoff led the charge at the plate, going 4-for-5 with eight RBIs and a run scored in a career performance. Ashley Myers added a 2-for-4 day with two RBIs and two runs, while Karsyn Malinich also went 2-for-4 and crossed the plate twice. Meghan Lupu chipped in a 1-for-2 effort with two RBIs and a run scored, a true team win from top to bottom.

In the circle, Macee Schang found her rhythm, earning the win after three innings of work. She allowed six hits and five runs while striking out four, helping Adrian close out the victory.

The Bulldogs are back in action on Friday, April 18 as they will host Albion College at the AC Softball Field. First pitch is set for 1:00 PM