WINTER HAVEN, Fl.- Today the Calvin softball team opened its 2023 season with a win over both Milwaukee School of Engineering and Moravian.
 
GAME 1
Calvin 3, MSOE 1
 
In the first game of the day senior Kirsten Krause (Fredonia, Wis./Grafton) took the mound as the Knights kicked off their 2023 campaign. MOSE struck first it singled to center field and scored the runner from second.
 
The Knights bounced back in the fourth inning when junior Emilie Gist (Bettendorf, Iowa/Bettendorf) got on base after being hit by a pitch. On the next play she advanced to second on a wild pitch before sophomore Taylor Sanborn (Midland, Mich./Midland) was also hit by a pitch and took her free base. Freshman Carly Dole (Mt. Pleasant, Mich./Mt. Pleasant) then rocketed a grounder at third base, forcing an error and allowing Gist to score. Two plays later, with runners on second and third, senior Kali Yant (Vicksburg, Mich./Vicksburg) singled to center field to add two more runs to the scoreboard for Calvin.
 
The Knights played lock down defense down the stretch and won their first game of the season 3-1. Krause got the complete game win, striking out two while walking one. 
 
GAME 2
CALVIN 9, MORAVIAN 2
 
In the second game of the day, the Knights built on their momentum from their earlier win. In the first inning Hannah Biddlecome (Dallas, Tx./Portage Northern) singled to left field and scored a few plays later when freshman Tory Decker (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian) singled to left center.
 
In the fourth inning, Dole hit a lead-off single to center field which was followed by junior Grace Glass (Indianapolis, Ind./North Central) also getting a single. With runners on first and second, Yant singled to left center, scoring Dole and moving Glass into scoring position. Two plays later senior Sydney Duong (Kalamazoo, Mich./Kalamazoo Christian) doubled to left field and scored both runners giving Calvin a comfortable 4-0 lead.
 
Moravian attempted to respond by scoring off a home run in the fourth, but the Knights were far from done. In the fifth inning Glass doubled to right center and was then brought home by Yant on a single to center field putting Calvin up 5-1.
 
In the sixth inning, Duong singled to left field and was then advanced to second by Biddlecome as she beat out a bunt. Gist reached on fielder's choice to load the bases and on the next play Duong scored on a sacrifice fly from Decker. This was her second RBI of the game. Gist moved into scoring position by stealing second before Dole hit a line drive to center field, scoring both Gist and Biddlecome. Dole then advanced to third on a wild pitch and was then hit in by Glass rounding out the Knights scoring for the game.
 
Although Moravian was able to sneak in a run in the bottom of the sixth, the deficit was too great, and Calvin went on to win 9-2. Freshman Emma Ludema (Martin, Mich./Wayland) got her first career win on the mound as she recorded three strikeouts and gave up only one run.
 
COACHES COMMENTS: "I was happy with how we came out and competed in both games," said head coach Becky Hilgert. "Offensively we made good adjustments in game one and were able to find a way to get a few runs in late. Defensively I was happy with our approach and aggressiveness. Our pitching staff was stellar today by keeping the hitters off balance. Overall, a great start to the season."
 
UP NEXT: The Knights continue their spring trip tomorrow Feb. 28^th as they take on Neumann at 9 a.m. and Wartburg at 11:30 a.m.