CLERMONT, Fla. – The Calvin softball team pickup two more victories on Thursday to extend its winning streak to six games. The Knights defeated Smith, 6-5, and Macalester, 3-1, to improve to 6-2 in 2016.

"I am proud of how the team fought today," said head coach Tim Syrek. "We knew we were going to get the best of what both teams had to offer today and we did. The players embraced the situation today and responded really well."

The Knights found themselves in a defensive battle Thursday morning with the Pioneers of Smith. Neither team allowed a run until the Knights put three runs on the scoreboard in the fifth inning.

Calvin took advantage of the Pioneer errors in the fifth, senior Lydia Gildea started the scoring with a double to left center field that scored freshman Rachel Borden and freshman Maddie DeGroot. Gildea later scored on another Pioneer error.

The Pioneers would not go away and scored four runs in the sixth inning to take a 4-3 lead.

The Knights would take the lead back in the bottom of the sixth. Maddie DeGroot flew out to left field bringing home sophomore Kimiko Hinatsu from third base on an interference call on the Smith catcher. Freshman Kristen Newman would then hit a single up the middle to score senior Ashley Riemersma.

"I was really proud of the team," said sophomore Jessica Brasser. "We came together as a team today and did what we had to do to win. We didn't panic when things got tough and we pull together to fight back. We really had timely hitting as a team today."

Smith would strike again in the top of the seventh to tie the game at five.

Another Smith error allowed freshman Anna Gernant to get on base. Sophomore Kaley Frank would move Gernant to second base with a bunt. Freshman Abby Colon would then end the game with a single to right field with two outs to score Gernant.

Anna Gernant improved to 3-0 on Thursday in the circle. She struck out six Pioneer batters and didn't allow a hit until the fifth inning.

Lydia Gildea and Abby Colon both finished the game with three hits, Gildea also recorded two RBI.

Calvin struck first against Macalester in the third inning. Jessica Brasser singled up the middle to score Maddie DeGroot. Anna Gernant singled to left field to score Jessica Brasser and Rachel Borden.

Those three runs would be all Calvin would need with sophomore Makela Chapman keeping the Macalester batters quiet. Chapman only allowed one run on five hits. She also struck out two in the victory.

The Knights had five hits in the game, Anna Gernant had a game-high two RBI.

Calvin finishes its spring break schedule on Friday when the Knights face Bethel and Transylvania.