LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Calvin softball team opened the 2018 campaign on Friday afternoon at the 2018 Transylvania Pioneer Classic. The Knights opened the season with the Panthers of Greenville and the No. 12-ranked host Pioneers. The Maroon and Gold tamed the Panthers in five innings, 9-1. Calvin closed the day with a 3-0 victory over No. 12 Transylvania.

"Two nice wins today for our team against two quality opponents," said head coach Becky Hilgert. "Defensively we played error-free ball. Offensively we stayed aggressive and converted in key situations. I loved the energy from our entire team throughout the day. These were two solid team wins."

In game one, the Calvin bats exploded in the second inning. Junior Kristen Newman (Chelsea, Mich./Chelsea) got the ball rolling with a home run. Junior Maddie DeGroot (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian) doubled into center field to score sophomore Bri Noorman (Jenison, Mich./Covenant Christian) and sophomore Katie Mumby (Spring Lake, Mich./Spring Lake). Senior Jessica Brasser (Rockford, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) scored DeGroot on a double to right field. The final run of the inning came on a sacrifice fly from junior Anna Gernant (West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley).

The Knights added four more runs in the top of the fourth inning. Junior Abby Colon (Caledonia, Mich./South Christian) was walked with the bases loaded to score Bri Noorman. A passed ball scored Maddie DeGroot and a wild pitch scored freshman Grace Stock (Vicksburg, Mich./Vicksburg). Abby Colon scored on a double off the bat of sophomore Kayla Groen (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln Way East).

The lone run of the day for Greenville came in the fourth inning off a hit into center field.

Freshman Ellie Borst (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian) had an outstanding performance in her first game in a Calvin jersey. Borst only allowed one hit and finished the game with seven strikeouts.

Maddie DeGroot and Jessica Brasser led the Knights with two hits.

The Calvin defense stood firm in the second inning against Transylvania. With Pioneer runners on second and third base, Anna Gernant recorded two-straight strikeouts to end the threat.

The Knights were the first to light up the scoreboard in game two. In the third inning, the Knights took advantage of a Transy error that scored Kayla Groen. Jessica Brasser then grounded out to second base to score junior Rachel Borden.

Maddie DeGroot sent a ball to left field in the fifth inning that helped Kayla Groen cross home plate.

The Pioneers did not back down and had runners on first and second in the seventh inning. Anna Gernant struck out Sarah Poehlein to end the threat and the game.

Anna Gernant finished the game with nine strikeouts in the win.

Kayla Groen led the Maroon and Gold with two hits and Maddie DeGroot finished with a game-high two RBI.

The Knights played 12 innings of error-free ball on Friday.

Calvin returns to action on Saturday at the Pioneer Classic against MIAA-foe Olivet and LaGrange.