GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Calvin softball team swept the home opener on Thursday afternoon at Gainey Field. The Knights opened the day with an 8-0 victory over Anderson. The Maroon and Gold finished off the Ravens in game two, 11-1. Calvin improves to 13-2 on the season and sends Anderson to 5-9.

"I was pleased with the way that we competed today," said head coach Becky Hilgert. "Our offense stayed aggressive throughout both games and we were able to put together some big innings. Most importantly we played error-free ball behind a strong outing from our pitching staff."

The Knights struck first in game one in the third inning. Junior Maddie DeGroot (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian) singled to left field to score junior Kristen Newman (Chelsea, Mich./Chelsea).

Senior Jessica Brasser (Rockford, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) then scored junior Rachel Borden (Edwardsburg, Mich./Edwardsburg).

Freshman Grace Stock (Vicksburg, Mich./Vicksburg) blasted her second home run of the season over the left-field fence to score Maddie DeGroot and Rachel Borden.

In the fifth inning, junior Anna Gernant (West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley) smacked a home run of her own. Gernant also recorded her fourth victory in the circle with six strikeouts.

Rachel Borden then singled up the middle to score sophomore Kayla Groen (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln Way East).

Junior Abby Colon (Caledonia, Mich./South Christian) made her first pitching appearance at Calvin in the sixth inning and recorded a strikeout.

The mercy rule was put into effect when Abby Colon scored Jessica Brasser in the sixth inning.

Grace Stock finished game one with a game-high three hits.

The Calvin offense exploded for nine runs in the first inning of game two.

Grace Stock started the scoring with a double down the left-field line to score Jessica Brasser and Maddie DeGroot.

Anna Gernant then doubled to left field to score Grace Stock and Abby Colon.

The long ball came into effect again in game two, Kayla Groen snuck the ball just fair of the left field foul post to send home sophomore Katie Mumby (Spring Lake, Mich./Spring Lake) and Anna Gernant.

Stock struck again in the first inning with a double down the left-field line to score Jessica Brasser.

The nine runs are the most in an inning since the 2015 season opener against Allegheny. The Knights put nine runs on the scoreboard in the fifth inning.

The Ravens got on the scoreboard with a solo home run in the second inning.

The Knights responded with two more runs in the second inning.

Jessica Brasser singled to center field to score Kristen Newman and Grace Stock singled down the left-field line to score senior Kimiko Hinatsu (Romeo, Mich./Romeo).

Freshman Ellie Borst (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian) recorded three strikeouts in the win. Freshman Bri Leegwater (Zeeland, Mich./Holland Christian) pitched two innings in relief.

The 11 runs are the most for the Knights since March 18, 2017, when Calvin defeated Ohio Northern in Florida, 14-13.

The Knights open MIAA action on Friday afternoon against Adrian. The games were moved up due to weather on Saturday.