Holland, Mich. - The Alma College softball team defeated Hope College in the second game of the doubleheader. The game was previously postponed due to weather on Wednesday (Mar. 30) in the bottom of the fourth inning as Alma led 4-2. The Scots finished the job today and defeated the Dutch 7-3.

At the conclusion of the day Alma's overall record improved to 17-5 on the complete season and 4-0 in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA). Hope's record fell to 9-7 on the season and 0-2 in their first round of MIAA play.

It was the second game of the doubleheader therefore Alma served as the home team in this game. Hope scored a run in the top of the first but the Scots were not phased as they scored four runs of their own in the bottom of the first. 

With two runners on base freshman MacKenzie Creed (Edwardsburg, Mich./Edwardsburg) had a two RBI double to center field, giving Alma the 2-0 run. Senior Sarah Collier (Fenton, Mich./Fenton) followed directly behind with a two RBI home run, her second of the season. Alma ended the bottom of the first with the 4-1 lead. 

Neither team would score in the second inning but Hope managed to cross the plate again in the top of the third on two hits to cut Alma's lead 4-2.

Alma increased their lead to 5-2 in the bottom of the fourth inning after coming back from the Wednesday rain delay. Alma had runners on first and second with no outs then Creed hit a sacrifice to move both runners in to scoring position. Collier grounded out to third base but notched an RBI scoring the runner on third. 

Alma poured it on in the bottom of the sixth inning crossing the plate two more times. Alma had one runner on third and junior Kelsey Spencer (Eaton Rapids, Mich./Eaton Rapids) singled to right center to score the runner. With just one out on the board Collier hit a single up the middle, scoring Spencer. Hope finally stopped the Scots, stranding one Alma runner on base but the Scots lead increased to 7-2. 

Hope managed to get another run in the top of the seventh inning but it was not enough for the Dutch as the Scots won the second game of the doubleheader 7-3. 

Senior Kayla Merice (Dorr, Mich./Wayland) went 4-4 in today's win and sophomore Mary Brooks (Portland, Mich./Portland) was 2-3, crossing the plate once. Collier notched four RBI's from the game, two of the RBI's coming from her home run.

Sophomore Katie McClure (Manchester, Mich./Manchester) was in the circle before the rain delay, pitching 4.0 innings. She earned the win, improving her record to 7-2. Junior Morgan Stratton (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc) pitched the last 3.0 innings of the game. 

Alma was scheduled to host Calvin College tomorrow (Apr. 2) but due to expected inclement weather the game has been moved to Monday (Apr. 4). The game is still scheduled to be played at home at Scots Park with a first pitch of 3:30 p.m.