GRAND RAPIDS, Mich- Today the Calvin softball team traveled to the Windy City to take on the Maroons of University of Chicago. The Knights won the first game of the day, a ten inning doozy, winning in thrilling fashion before going on to win the second to get the sweep.
 
GAME 1
CALVIN 7, CHICAGO 6
 
The Knights had the first scoring opportunity of the day in the top of the second inning when Tory Decker (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian) was able to force the Chicago defense to make an error. After Emilie Gist (Bettendorf, Iowa/Bettendorf) was hit by a pitch the Knights were able to move the runners to second and third with Emma Walker (Hamilton, Mich./Saugatuck) coming to the plate. Walker came up clutch with a single to right field to bring her teammates home and give Calvin a 2-0 lead.
 
The Knights kept their foot on the gas as Sydney Duong (Kalamazoo, Mich./Kalamazoo Christian) found her way to second base when the Maroons shortstop made a fielding error. The Chicago defense continued to struggle as Hannah Biddlecome (Dallas, Tx./Portage Northern) laid down a bunt and an error advanced her to second as Duong scored. Biddlecome continued to wreak havoc as she stole third base and then trotted home when the Maroon's catcher made an over throw to extend Calvin's lead to 4-0.
 
Chicago was able to string some hits together in the bottom of the third inning as it pushed two runs of its own across the plate. In the top of the fourth Sage Mougin (New Carlisle, Ind./New Prairie) singled to center field before showing off her speed and stealing second. Duong then stepped up a hit an RBI triple to right field to make the score 5-2.
 
In the bottom of the fourth inning the Knights made some errors of their own on defense as Chicago seemed to find their footing at the plate and scored two runs. Halfway through the inning sophomore Zoe Hazelhoff (Kalamazoo, Mich./Kalamazoo Christian) entered the game in relief of starting pitcher Kirsten Krause (Fredonia, Wis./Grafton) who had recorded five strikeouts on the day. Chicago was able to score two more runs after the pitching change to take the one run lead over Calvin.
 
The Knights didn't wait long to answer as Carly Dole (Mt. Pleasant, Mich./Mt. Pleasant) hit a solo homerun to lead off the top of the fifth inning to bring the score to 6-6.
 
The game then turning into a pitching battle and with the score still tied after seven innings the two teams headed into extras. The game continued as both defenses doubled down and refused to allow either team to get baserunners. It wasn't until the top of the tenth inning when the Walker was able to make her way into scoring position for the Knights. This brought up Duong who came through with a single to center field that allowed Walker to cross the plate and give the Knights the 7-6 lead.
 
The Knights defense then took the field and shutdown the Maroons offense to steal the victory on the road. Hazelhoff finished her showing with two strikeouts and only giving up three hits. Freshman Brooke Hunderman (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) also got her first look of the year as she entered the game in the seventh inning and struck out three batters while only giving up one hit.
 
GAME 2
CALVIN 7, CHICAGO 2
 
The Knights used the momentum from the first game to kick off the second as Duong led off with a single to right field. Duong then stole second before Biddlecome brought her in when she hit a triple to left center field. Biddlecome was brought home when Dole hit an RBI grounder to the Chicago shortstop. With two outs on the board Decker hit a single to right center to give Calvin a baserunner. Two batters later senior first baseman forced the Maroons defense to make a fielding error which allowed Decker to score as the Knights took a fast 3-0 lead.
 
In the top of the second inning Calvin stayed hot as Biddlecome tripled to right center. Dole then sent a sacrifice fly out to center field to score Biddlecome and extend the Knights lead. However, Chicago fought back as they were able to push across two runs in the bottom of the inning to make the score 4-2.
 
Both teams were quiet until the top of the sixth inning when Duong hit a double to left field. Biddlecome then followed suit with a double of her own to score Duong. Two batters later with a runner in scoring position Taylor Sanborn (Midland, Mich./Midland) doubled to left center to give the Knights another run. Calvin rounded out its scoring when Decker forced the Maroon defense to make an error and scored pinch runner Josie Vink (Byron Center, Mich./South Christian) for the 7-2 victory.
 
Freshman pitcher Emma Ludema (Martin, Mich./Wayland) went the distance for the Knights and allowed only four hits while recording seven strikeouts.
 
COACHES COMMENTS: "I am really proud of how we continued to fight and grind it out in the ten inning game," said head coach Becky Hilgert. "Brooke came in for the first time this year and was stellar and she really earned that moment with all her hard work in practice preparation. However, we continue to give teams too many extra chances with some of our defensive mishaps. As we get deeper into MIAA play we must play better on defense. Overall, Chicago is a good team and it was great to pick up the (in) region wins."
 
UP NEXT: The Knights will be back in action on Wednesday, April 19^th when they travel to Angola, Indiana to take on Trine. Game one is set to begin at 3 p.m. with game two following at 5 p.m.