HOLLAND, Mich. - The Calvin softball team defeated rival Hope 5-1 to advance to the MIAA Tournament Championship series next week.  

The victory allowed Calvin to win Pool B of the MIAA Tournament with a 3-0 record. The Knights will face the winner of Pool A which has yet to be determined. Alma and Trine will meet in the Pool A finals on Monday, May 10. If Alma wins Pool A, Calvin will host the best-of-three finals next week. If Trine wins, Trine will host the championship series. 

In its win over Hope Saturday afternoon, the Knights (26-7) took the early lead in the first inning. Junior Hannah Biddlecome (Portage, MI / Portage Northern) reached first on an error but stole second and third to get herself in scoring position. Sophomore Kali Yant (Vicksburg, MI / Vicksburg) hit the RBI single to score Biddlecome and give Calvin the 1-0 lead. 

Hope tied things up in the bottom of the second to make it a 1-1 game. The bases were still loaded, and senior pitcher Bri Leegwater (Zeeland, MI / Holland Christian) got them out of the jam, and Calvin headed to the third inning. Neither team was able to add any runs in the third inning, but Calvin extended its lead in the top of the fourth. 

Senior Amber Staniulis (Rockford, MI / Sparta) came up to plate with the bases loaded and earned the walk to score the first run of the inning. Sophomore Sydney Duong (Kalamazoo, MI / Kalamazoo Christian) hit an RBI single to right field to give Calvin a 3-1 lead. Ellie Borst (Hudsonville, MI / Unity Christian) came on in relief and was held back the Flying Dutch attack. 

Hope threatened in the bottom of the fifth with bases loaded, but Borst was clutch for Calvin and struck out the next three batters to get the Knights out of another jam. Both teams were held scoreless in the sixth. The Knights added to their lead in the seventh as Grace Stock (Vicksburg, MI / Vicksburg) hit an RBI double to right field. 

Senior Kayla Groen (Frankfort, IL / Lincoln Way East) hit a single to center field to add another run for Calvin to give them a 5-1 lead. Borst made quick work in the seventh inning and secured the win over Hope with a score of 5-1. 

Borst picked up her eighth win of the season in the circle while Biddlecome, Stock, Yant, and Groen each finished the game with two hits on the day. Hannah Biddlecome also set the single season stolen base record in this game bringing her total to 22 on the season. 

COACHES COMMENTS: "Wow what a great game," said Head Coach Becky Hilgert. "Playing in that type of game is what you work so hard for during the season. This is what you want to be able to be a part of at the end of the season. Our focus going in was on our mindset and mental toughness. We knew we could do it physically but keeping our mind right was the key. Our defense played outstanding and went all out for balls to make plays. Bri and Ellie showed their fight and competitiveness in the circle and our hitters kept grinding out runs. The energy from our bench was probably the best all year. Top down everyone contributed to this win. We also appreciate all our fan support and their energy from the stands."

UP NEXT: The Knights await the winner of Alma and Trine to see who they will face in the MIAA Tournament Championship series.