By Mark DeHaan

The Calvin baseball team returned to action on Thursday afternoon, playing cross-town foe Aquinas College in a single game, nine-inning non-conference contest.

After going up five runs in the third inning, the Knights were able to hold off the Saints despite a bases loaded situation in the ninth, and Calvin earned the 8-7 win to move to 15-11 overall on the year. 

The Knights got their offense going early. Juniors Grant Van Putten and Ben Wohl each reached base on singles, while an error on a hit into center field from senior Matt Schepel scored Van Putten. A walk to freshman Colt Wolfe, a single by sophomore Jalen Bouma, and a sac-fly by sophomore Jordan VanderWall then brought in three more runs, and Calvin took an early 4-0 lead.

In the top of the second inning, Aquinas loaded the bases with just one out. Senior pitcher Jack Jorgenson was able to get out of the jam, however, striking out the next batter and getting the third out on a groundout to second base.

The Saints got a run back in the top of the third, but a quick response by Calvin in the bottom of the third saw junior Peter Cupery hit a two-run home run over the left field wall to put the Knights lead at 6-1.

In the top of the fifth, Aquinas plated another run as back-to-back doubles scored a run to bring the score to 6-2.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Knights loaded the bases with one out, but an inning-ending double-play cut Calvin's scoring opportunity short.

The Saints continued to chip away at the Knights lead in the top of the sixth, leading off with a single and double to score a run.

The Knights added a pair of important insurance runs in the bottom of the the seventh as Cupery scored on a single by Bouma and freshman Colt Wolfe scored on an error by the Saints.

In the top of the eighth, Aquinas cut the Calvin lead to just two as three runs came across the plate with two outs. The Saints added another in the top of the ninth, but senior Cory Laster was able to come in and get the final out with a runner standing on third, and the Knights earned an 8-7 win.

"I thought our approach to the plate was pretty good, especially early in the game. Mike Kamp and Garrett Harder had good at bats in pinch hitting roles, we got two runs in (in the eighth), and that ended up being the difference, " said head coach John Sparks. "Every game is big on the way in, and these games coming up against Alma will be another big series for us."

Cupery went 1-for-1, drawing two walks while scoring two runs and adding 3 RBIs. Schepel was 1-for-2 with two runs scored and an RBI, while freshman Colt Wolfe scored two runs while hitting 1-for-3.

Freshman Mike Militello earned the win, pitching two innings in relief while Cory Laster got the save by pitching the final out of the ballgame. 

For Aquinas, Michael Priest was 2-for-2 while scoring a run and adding two RBI. Kenneth Hartger added two RBI on 1-for-2 hitting while Taylor Pawlanta was 2-for-4 from the plate, scoring two runs.

The Knights return to action on Friday when they host the Scots of Alma for a conference doubleheader. Calvin enters at 9-7 in the MIAA while the Scots are 8-8 in the league. Friday's twinbill is scheduled to start at 2 p.m.