CLERMONT, Fla. – The Calvin softball team started the 2016 season falling to The College of New Jersey and Anderson on Saturday evening. The Knights started the day falling to TCNJ in eight innings, 10-9. Calvin ended the day falling to Anderson, 7-5.

"We played really tough today," said head coach Tim Syrek. "We played two really good teams today and we were close in both games. We will learn from today and use this to get better this season."

TCNJ took an early lead on Saturday with one run in the first inning and three in the fifth inning.

The Knights would fight back tallying five runs in the sixth inning.

Junior Caitlin Bell got the Knights on the scoreboard with a double with the bases loaded, sending home freshman Kristen Newman and sophomore Kimiko Hinatsu.

Freshman Maddie DeGroot would then clear the bases with a triple, sending in freshman Kristen Newman and Bell. DeGroot would score off of a passed ball.

TCNJ would take the lead back in the bottom of the sixth inning at 6-5.

The Knights would not go away and would score three runs in the seventh to extend the game.

Ashley Riemersma doubled in senior Lydia Gildea and freshman Anna Gernant. Bell hit in Riemersma.

TCNJ would tie the game at eight to force an eighth inning.

Sophomore Jessica Brasser was able to get Maddie DeGroot home in the eighth inning before TCNJ scored two runs to win.

Anna Gernant pitched 7.1 innings with nine strikeouts and two walks.

Maddie DeGroot and Ashley Riemersma both recorded two hits in the loss. Freshman Rachel Borden had a team-high three hits in her first game.

Anderson jumped out to an early lead in game two, the Ravens hit a grand slam in the first inning and added a run in the third inning to take a 5-0 run.

Lydia Gildea started the Calvin comeback, batting in freshman Rachel Borden.

The Ravens added in the fifth inning to take a 7-1 lead.

Calvin wouldn't go away quietly, scoring two in the bottom of the fifth inning with Jessica Brasser scoring Caitlin Bell and Kimiko Hinatsu to cut the lead to 7-3.

Freshman Casey Lawler made a splash in the lineup with a homerun in her first at bat at Calvin College, also scoring freshman Maggie Kaercher to make it 7-5.

Junior Paige Groom threw five innings, striking out three batters. Freshman Makela Chapman pitched two innings and strikeout one on Saturday.

The Knights return to the diamond on Monday when they will face Fitchburg State and Westfield State.