By Mark DeHaan

Calvin softball, in the midst of a busy stretch where the Knights will play eight games in four days, hosted Alma College on Monday.

The Knights entered at 2-2 in the MIAA, while the Scots were tied for the league lead with a record of 5-1. Behind strong pitching, Alma won game one 6-0 then defeated Calvin 7-3 in game two.

In the first contest, Alma took a 3-0 lead in the second inning as a two-run triple opened up the scoring.

Calvin responded in the bottom half of the inning by putting two runners on base with two outs, but could not capitalize.

The Scots added two insurance runs in the sixth, then another in the seventh, to pull ahead by six runs.

The Knights could not score in the bottom of the seventh to extend the game, and Alma won 6-0.

Scots pitcher Morgan Stratton gave up just two hits in a complete game performance.

Senior Kelsey Pollock and junior Jessica Gillings each had a hit for Calvin. Sophomore Paige Groom took the loss in the circle, pitching all seven innings, striking out three and allowing three earned runs.

In game two, the Knights scored first, plating a pair of runs in the top of the second.

Pollock came across on a passed ball, then junior Alyssa Bryan also scored on a double by senior Christie VanderMeer as Calvin jumped ahead 2-0.

The lead didn't last long, however, as Alma responded with a four-run second.

The Scots added three more in the third to pull ahead 7-2.

In the seventh, Calvin scored a run on an Alma error to bring the score to 7-3, and also had runners on second and third with no outs.

But, the Scots pitching locked down and the Knights were held scoreless the rest of the inning as Alma took game two 7-3.

VanderMeer went 3-for-3 in game two, scoring one run and batting in another. Freshman Jessica Brasser, junior Ashley Riemersma, junior Lydia Gildea, and sophomore Maddie Teune all picked up hits in the second game for Calvin.

Freshman Makela Chapman took the loss in game two.

"We need to do a better job in our approach to the plate, and we need to clean up our defense," said head coach Tim Syrek. "The kids have great spirit, and no one likes to lose; but, you have to remember that you're never as high as when you win four straight, and now you're never as low as when you lose six straight. You just have to find an even keel and go from there. Our goal is to keep working hard every day and continue to get better as a team and I am confident that we will."

The Knights fall to 7-13 overall and 2-4 in the MIAA with the pair of losses, while Alma moves to 16-10 and 7-1.

Calvin completes its torrid stretch of games with a conference doubleheader tomorrow at Trine University. First pitch between the Knights and Thunder is set for 3:30 p.m.