GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Calvin softball team opened the MIAA season sweeping the Albion Britons on Tuesday. Calvin improved to 12-6 on the year and 2-0 in the MIAA with a 3-1 victory in game one and a 5-4 victory in game two. The Britons fall to 6-16 and 0-6 in MIAA play.

"I am happy that we ended the day with two wins," said Calvin head coach Tim Syrek. "Albion is a really improved team and they played well today. There are some things that we need to sharpen up on, but I think that we played well for not playing in a week."

The Knights struck early in game one with two runs in the first inning of game one. Senior Ashley Riemersma doubled to right-center field, scoring sophomore Jessica Brasser and freshman Rachel Borden.

Calvin and Albion would go four scoreless innings before the Britons cut the Calvin lead in half in the top of the sixth inning off of a leadoff triple.

Sophomore Kaley Frank would extend the lead back to two in the bottom of the sixth inning with a double to left field, scoring Jessica Brasser from second base.

Freshman Anna Gernant was once again in control in the circle on Tuesday. Gernant tallied six strikeouts on Tuesday, including three in the first inning. She improved to 6-1 on the year in the victory.

Rachel Borden and Ashley Riemersma both finished with a game-high three hits. Riemersma had two RBI in game one.

"I was very happy to get some hits and help my team in our first conference game," said Riemersma. "It felt good to get the bat on the ball and capitalize on moving runners around the bases. The whole team played well and everyone did their jobs. Overall, I am happy with the results and I am looking forward to coming back tomorrow and working as a team against Alma."

Game two saw the Knights strike first again, this time in the third inning.

Senior Lydia Gildea scored Jessica Brasser and Rachel Borden on a double to right field.

"I was glad that I was able to contribute today," said Gildea. "Those were two quality team wins and I was glad that I was able to do my part."

Calvin struck again in the fourth inning when junior Caitlin Bell hit one to centerfield to score freshman Kristen Newman.

The Knights would luck out in the fifth inning when Lydia Gildea hit a double into right field when the ball dropped between two Albion defenders with two outs, scoring Jessica Brasser from second base.

In the sixth inning, Caitlin Bell would score what would be the game-winning run with a double to center field, sending Anna Gernant home from third base.

Albion would not go away quietly and would make things interesting, scoring four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Junior Paige Groom would get out of the inning with the tying run on second base and the winning run on first base with a fly-ball out to Rachel Borden.

Paige Groom earned the victory in game two with two strikeouts in seven innings.

Jessica Brasser, Lydia Gildea, Anna Gernant and Caitlin Bell all finished the second game with a single and a double. Lydia Gildea led all batters with three RBI.

The Knights return to action on Wednesday as they travel to Alma to face the No. 15 Scots.