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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.- Today the Calvin softball team hosted the Bluffton Beavers in its home opener where the Knights were able to get a sweep by winning the first game 9-0 and the second game 4-0.
 
GAME 1
CALVIN 9, BLUFFTON 0
 
In the first game of the day the Knights got off to a hot start when senior Sydney Duong (Kalamazoo, Mich./Kalamazoo Christian) had a leadoff single in the first inning. Next up was Hannah Biddlecome (Dallas, Texas/Portage Northern) who showed off her speed by beating out a bunt at first. During the play, an error by the Beavers defense allowed Duong to advance to third while Biddlecome advanced to second. A hard ground ball hit by Carly Dole (Mt. Pleasant, Mich./Mt. Pleasant) allowed Doung to score for the first run of the game. Two batters later, with runners on first and second, freshman Tory Decker (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian) singled up the middle, bringing both runners' home. The Knights' final run of the inning came when senior Kali Yant (Vicksburg, Mich./Vicksburg) tripled down the left field line and scored the runner on first to give Calvin a 4-0 lead.
 
The Knights kept their bats hot in the bottom of the second inning when Duong sent a rocket to left center that was good enough to get her all the way to third base. Once again Biddlecome beat out a bunt and advanced to second when the Beavers defense got distract by Duong crossing the plate to give the Knights another run. Dole then stepped into the box and hit a home run over the left field fence to give the Knights a commanding 7-0 lead.
 
The next scoring opportunity for Calvin came the bottom of the fourth when Duong showed off her speed by turning a hit down the right field line into an inside the park homerun. Biddlecome then hit a double before she advanced to third of a wild pitch. She was brought home when Taylor Sanborn (Midland, Mich./Midland) singled to right field.
 
With a 9-0 lead after the fifth inning the mercy rule came into effect and the Knights walked away with a win. Senior Kirsten Krause (Fredonia, Wis./Grafton) went the distance on the mound for Calvin and recorded ten strikeouts and only gave up one hit.
 
 
GAME 2
CALVIN 4, BLUFFTON 0
 
In the second game, the Knights didn't slow down as Duong led off the bottom of the first with a single. She stole second base before Biddlecome scored her with a double and gave Calvin a quick lead. Biddlecome advanced to third off a fly ball to the outfield and scored when the Bluffton right fielder committed an error.
 
Duong continued to put on a hitting clinic when she doubled through the right side to start the bottom of the third inning. She scored two batters later by taking advantage of a Bluffton fielding error.
 
The Knights scored their final run of the day in the bottom of the sixth inning when sophomore Emma Walker (Hamilton, Mich./Saugatuck) doubled to right center. She was brought in on the next play when Yant doubled, giving Calvin the 4-0 victory.
 
Freshman Emma Ludema (Martin, Mich./Wayland) was in the circle for the Knights as she recorded six strikeouts and only gave up one hit.
 
COACHES COMMENTS: "I really challenged our team to come out with a lot of energy and a competitive mentality and I felt we had great energy from the start to the finish," said head coach Becky Hilgert. "It always helps when you score first, and we did that in both game which gave our pitchers and defense a boost. Kirsten and Emma both spun the ball well and our defense played well behind them. Overall, I am very happy with our performance and it was great to be back out on our home field."
 
UP NEXT: The Knights will be back in action on Thursday, March 30^th when they travel to Ohio Northern to play in a non-conference doubleheader.