OLIVET - The Calvin softball team split a doubleheader at Olivet Wednesday afternoon, dropping the opener 4-3 before coming back to win game two 5-4. Both games featured late-inning comebacks by the winning team.

In game one, Calvin held a 3-1 lead only to see Olivet (15-8 overall, 3-5 MIAA) score three runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 4-3 advantage.

Calvin took an early 1-0 lead on a run-scoring single by senior Lina Avila (Lakewood, CA/Valley Christian HS) that plated junior Christie VanderMeer (Grandville/Grandville HS). Olivet tied the game with a run in the bottom of the first. Calvin then pushed across a pair of runs in the fourth aided by sacrifice bunts by seniors Janelle Agren (Cadillac/Cadillac HS) and Ashley Jakus (Muskegon/Muskegon Reeths-Puffer HS).

In the bottom of the fifth, Olivet scored three runs, using three hits and a pair of Calvin errors to regain the lead.

In the sixth, Calvin appeared poised to tie the game or take the lead as sophomore Lydia Gildea (Gobles/Gobles HS) led off with a triple and sophomore Ashley Riemersma (Grand Rapids/Grand Rapids Christian HS) followed with a walk and stolen base. Both runners were stranded however as a popout, strikeout and flyout ended the Calvin threat.

In the seventh, Calvin threatened once again as junior Kelsey Pollock (Greenville/Belding HS) led off with a walk and moved to second on a single by freshman Cassidy Vlot (Chowchilla, CA/Chowchilla HS). Both runners were stranded though as the next three Calvin batters were retired in order, allowing the Comets to claim the win.

Vlot took the loss to fall to 7-4 on the year. She struck out four and walked one. She also had two hits as did Gildea.

In game two, Olivet scored four runs in the first inning but Calvin kept the Comets from adding to their total the rest of the way and kept chipping away at the deficit in the process.

An RBI single by Avila in the first brought home Calvin's first run. Gildea brought home a second run with an RBI double in the fourth that allowed sophomore Alyssa Bryan (Custer/Mason County Eastern HS) to score.

Calvin then broke through for three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Avila led off the inning by reaching base on an error and junior Merin Cok (Grand Rapids/Grand Rapids Christian HS) followed with a double. Gildea stepped up once again to deliver in the clutch, belting a two-run RBI double to tie the score 4-4. After moving to third on a groundout, Gildea scored on a squeeze bunt by Agren to give the Knights the lead.

In the top of the seventh, senior Caitlin Callow (Muskegon/Muskegon Catholic Central HS) was able to close out the game as the Comets placed a runner aboard with one out but a line drive to Riemersma at short ended in a game-ending double play.

Callow went the distance to improve to 7-3 on the year.  Avila and Gildea had two hits apiece in leading Calvin at the plate.

The Knights return to action on Friday, traveling to Adrian to conclude a suspended game that began last week. The game is tied 3-3 in the top of the seventh inning with Adrian batting. The start of the game resuming on Friday is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

In game two, Calvin (14-7 overall, 2-1 MIAA) trailed 4-2 but scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 5-4 lead.