HOLLAND - After a disappointing 14-7 loss to rival Hope on Monday afternoon, Calvin (5-11 overall, 2-6 MIAA) bounced back in a big way with a 12-2 victory over the Flying Dutchmen Tuesday afternoon at Boeve Stadium. The victory allowed the Knights to gain a four-game series split with Hope.

In Monday's 14-7 loss, Calvin saw a 5-0 lead in the seventh inning vanish as Hope exploded for a 14-run seventh inning. The Flying Dutchmen kept up the pressure by taking a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning of Tuesday's game but the Knights refused to buckle, scoring three times in the bottom of the first and adding three more in the second to take control of the game.

Calvin added four runs in the third, one in the fourth and one in the fifth while keeping Hope off the scoreboard the rest of the way to claim the win.

"In my years of coaching, this is the best response from adversity that I have seen from a team," said Calvin head coach John Rypel who is in his first year at the helm of the Knights after previously serving as head coach at Gordon College. "We could have hung our heads after yesterday but we bounced with focus and determination. It was a real team effort and I could not be prouder of our guys than I am today."

Calvin senior Peter Cupery (Holland/Holland Christian HS) received his first start on the mound and responded in strong fashion, scattering four hits before giving way to junior Kyle Wasserberger (Spring Lake/Spring Lake HS). Wasserberger tossed 3.1 innings of shutout relief to gain the win. Senior Austin Juza (St. Joseph/Lake Michigan Catholic HS) pitched a scoreless seventh to complete the win.

At the plate, senior Grant VanPutten (Holland/Holland Christian HS) had a huge day at the plate by going 2-for-3 with four runs scored, an RBI and one stolen base.

Sophomore Colton Wolfe (Eaton Rapids/Eaton Rapids HS) was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two runs batted in while Cupery and sophomore Matt Kotva (Elkhard, IN/Concord HS) batted in two runs apiece.

"I was really pleased with our pitching staff today," said Rypel. "We are starting some players back who have been out with injuries and that is exciting. Today we played like the team that I think this team can be."

Calvin will travel to Olivet on Friday for a conference doubleheader slated to start at 2 p.m.