The Scots Softball team continued their season on Friday afternoon by hosting Hope College in a MIAA doubleheader at Scots Park. Alma won the first game by a score of 3-1 before the Flying Dutch took the nightcap by a 8-0 mark in six innings.

Alma is now 11-3 in the MIAA and 21-9 overall, while the Flying Dutch finished the day at 8-6 in the league and 16-16 in 2013.

In game one, Alma started fast with three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Sr. RF Amanda Schneider (New Baltimore, Mich./Anchor Bay) led of the frame with a single and was followed by a bunt single by So. CF Brooke Hein (Grand Rapids, Mich./G.R. Northview).

Schneider moved to third on an error and Hein found her way to second on a ground out, bringing Sr. 2B Kayla Smart (Jenison, Mich./Jenison) to the plate. Smart was able to line a ball down the left field line for a two-RBI single and she eventually scored on a Hope error for a 3-0 lead.

Alma had a couple of chances to add to their lead, but for the most part, their bats were quiet. In the top of the seventh, Hope used a walk, stolen base and a single to get a single run. But, their rally fell short and the Scots had the 3-1 win.

Schneider (one), Hein (two) and Smart (two) had the team's five hits in the win and Sr. P Louise Rezmer (Essexville, Mich./Bay City All-Saints) pitched a complete seven innings for the victory. Rezmer allowed four hits and a walk to go with eight strikeouts.

The nightcap saw something not very often seen - the Scots softball team being shutout in a game. Hope started quick and never looked back en route to a 8-0 victory in six innings.

The Flying Dutch scored one run on three hits and an Alma error in the bottom of the first. They then added five more in the top of the second to make in a 6-0 game. In that frame, Hope had four hits, including a two-run homerun, and took advantage of one Scots error.

The Scots had their best scoring chance in the top of the third as they loaded the bases on three singles. However, a strikeout by Smart ended the threat and Alma came up empty. The team also left two runners on base in the fourth inning.

Hope added single runs in the third and then in the sixth. The latter being the game-winner, as it made the score 8-0 and secured the win for the visitors.

So. P Samantha Pierce (Clarklake, Mich./Michigan Center) started in the circle for the Scots and lasted 1.1 innings. She gave up seven hits, six runs (four earned) with no walks and no strikeouts in taking the loss. So. P Breu Olling (Breckenridge, Mich./Breckenridge) pitched in relief and went four innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits.

Alma hosts Saint Mary's College on Saturday afternoon in the final MIAA doubleheader of the regular season. The first game is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. at Scots Park and is also Senior Day 2013.