CLERMONT, Fla. – The Calvin softball program is 6-0 for the first time in program history. The Knights opened the spring break slate with victories over Chicago and Wesleyan on Saturday.

"I am really proud of how the team played today," said head coach Becky Hilgert. "They never backed down against Chicago and we had contributors from all across the lineup. I am happy with how we continued to play against Wesleyan and how we were finally able to break through."

The Knights struck first against the Maroons of Chicago on Saturday in the third inning. Senior Kaley Frank (Edwardsburg, Mich./Edwardsburg) singled into the gap in left-center to score freshman Grace Stock (Vicksburg, Mich./Vicksburg) and senior Jessica Brasser (Rockford, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian).

Chicago struck back with a three-run fifth inning.

The Knights were down to their final out of the game, trailing 2-3, in the top of the seventh inning. Grace Stock kept hope alive with a single to third base. A Maroon misthrow landed Stock safely at second base with junior Abby Colon (Caledonia, Mich./South Christian) at first base. Another Chicago error was responsible for Kaley Frank filling the bases.

Freshman Kennedy Geiger (Clarksville, Mich./Lake Odessa) saved the day with a single up the middle that sent home Colon and Stock to tie the game. The hit was the first of her career at Calvin.

Geiger also flexed her muscles in the circle throwing the final four innings of the game without allowing a hit and finishing with three strikeouts.

In the eighth inning, the Maroons had the game-winning runner on third base with only one out. Geiger ended the threat with a strikeout.

Junior Maddie DeGroot (Hudsonville, Mich./Hudsonville) opened the ninth inning with a bang. DeGroot gave the Knights the lead with a no-doubt home run over the left-field fence.

The Maroons would fill the bases with no outs, but the Calvin defense held to secure the victory.

Jessica Brasser led the Knights with three hits.

In the circle, junior Anna Gernant (West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley) finished with eight strikeouts. Geiger earned the victory in her first appearance.

The Knights would not need nine innings to solve the Cardinals of Wesleyan; they did not even need seven.

In the first inning, Anna Gernant singled to left field to score Grace Stock.

The Cardinals lone run came from a single to the outfield.

The Calvin bats went off in the fourth inning. Abby Colon started the scoring carousel with a single that scored DeGroot. Anna Gernant then crossed Jessica Brasser across the plate on a single.

A fielder's choice scored Colon and Gernant.

In the sixth inning, a triple from Maddie DeGroot scored Kennedy Geiger and sophomore Jordan VanEerden (Holland, Mich./Holland Christian).

The game ended with a single from Grace Stock that scored Maddie DeGroot.

Freshman Ellie Borst (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian) recorded her third victory of the year with nine strikeouts and only having allowed two hits.

The 1987 team posted a 5-0 start to the season and finished with a record of 28-4.

The Knights return to action on Monday against Wooster and New Paltz.