GRAND RAPIDS, Mich- Today the Knights traveled to take on the Polar Bears of Ohio Northern where they won the first game but dropped the second to end the day with a split.
 
GAME 1
CALVIN 5, OHIO NORTHERN 1
 
In the first game of the evening the Knights sent senior Kirsten Krause (Fredonia, Wis./Grafton) out to command the circle. Ohio Northern struck first when it was able to push across a run in the bottom of the first, but this would prove to being the only run Krause would allow. Calvin responded in the top of the second inning when Taylor Sanborn (Midland, Mich./Midland) kicked things off with a single. Two batters later Emilie Gist (Bettendorf, Iowa/Bettendorf) forced the Polar Bear defense to make a fielding error which allowed her to be safe at first and advance the runner to third. On the next play Gist stole second, placing two runners in scoring position for Calvin. Emma Walker (Hamilton, Mich./Saugatuck) then found a way on base which allowed both runs to score giving the Knights a 2-1 lead.
 
The Knights kept the momentum going into the top of the third when senior Hannah Biddlecome (Dallas, Texas/Portage Northern) started things with a triple to center field. This hit also marked a milestone for Biddlecome as it was the 201^st hit of her career, enough to make her the all-time career hits leader for Calvin softball.

Play continued when Carley Dole (Mt. Pleasant, Mich./Mt. Pleasant) beat out a bunt at first and was able to find her way to second when the defense was distracted by keeping Biddlecome at third. Sanborn then stepped in and found her way first base while also advancing Dole and scoring Biddlecome. With runners on first and second freshman Tory Decker (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian) stepped up and hit an RBI single through the left side of the infield to extend the Knights lead to 4-1. 

Calvin rounded out its scoring in the top of the seventh when Dole homered to center field and put an exclamation point on the 5-1 victory. Krause finished the game by only giving up three hits and moving her overall record to 4-4.
 
 
GAME 2
CALVIN 4, OHIO NORTHERN 6
 
In the nightcap the Knights got out to a hot start as Biddlecome doubled to left field in the top of the first inning. Dole then stepped up and hit her second home run of the day to center field to give Calvin a quick 2-0 lead.
 
The score remained the same as both teams struggled to find holes in the opposing defense. The Knights were the first to catch a break when Lily Gaastra (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) was able to force a walk to give Calvin a base runner in the top of the fifth. Senior Sydney Deong (Kalamazoo, Mich./Kalamazoo Christian) singled through the left side to put runners on first and second. Biddlecome continued to add to her career hits total when she singled to right field which was good enough for Gaastra to score to put the Knights up 3-0.
 
However, Ohio Northern was not folding easily. In the bottom of the fifth inning two home runs and a few other timely hits allowed the Polar Bears to take a 6-3 lead. The Knights tried to fight back in the top of the fifth when senior Kali Yant (Vicksburg, Mich./Vicksburg) led off with a lead off double. A fly ball to the outfield and a wild pitch allowed Yant to cross the plate but it wouldn't be enough as Calvin fell 6-4.
 
Freshman Emma Ludema (Martin, Mich./Wayland) started on the mound for the Knights before being relieved by sophomore Zoe Hazelhoff (Kalamazoo, Mich./Kalamazoo Christian) in the fourth inning.
 
COACHES COMMENT: "In game one I was pleased how we came back from giving up a run in the first to score in back-to-back innings," said head coach Becky Hilgert. "We had a big defensive stand in the sixth when they loaded the bases with one out and they didn't score which was key in securing the win. It was a tough end to game two, but I give Ohio Northern credit. They had a little more energy than us in the late innings and they came alive and unfortunately, our rally in the seventh came up a bit short."
 
UP NEXT: The Knights are scheduled to be back in action of Saturday, April 30^th when they welcome Wheaton to Gainey Athletic Facility. Game one is set to begin at 1 p.m. with game two starting at 3 p.m.