OLIVET, Mich. - The Calvin University baseball team swept its doubleheader at Olivet on Saturday by the scores of 19-3 (seven innings) and 19-6 (eight innings).

Game 1

Calvin jumped in front early and never looked back as it scored at least one run in every inning on the way to winning game one 19-3.

The Knights opened the game with three runs in the first inning, and then followed with seven runs in the second and three more in both the third and fourth frames to take a commanding 16-3 lead after four innings. 

Seven different Calvin hitters recorded at least two hits in the game, led by Matt Raymond (Chicago, Ill./Loyola Academy) with five hits and one walk while driving in three.

Nate Mason (Portage, Mich./Portage Northern), Caden Penn (Macomb, Mich./Lutheran North) and Logan Nelson (Fremont, Mich./Fremont) each recorded three hits, with Mason and Penn each scoring three runs and driving in three. All three of Mason's hits were doubles, while Nelson also added a pair of doubles.

The Calvin offense finished with 19 total hits to go with eight walks.

Ian Doyle (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grandville) started on the mound for the Knights and improved to 3-3 on the season after allowing three runs on five hits in five innings of work. 

Game 2

The Calvin bats continued to roll as the Knights swept the doubleheader and weekend series with a 19-6 win in game two.

The Knights once again started strong with four runs in the first inning and led 6-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning, but Olivet responded with five runs of their own in the fourth and fifth frames to cut the lead to 6-5 after five.

The Calvin offense was up to the challenge, however, and answered with six runs in the sixth inning with the help of a two-run single from Ryan Brown (Caledonia, Mich./Caledonia), followed by RBI-singles from Patrick Gillen (Jensen Beach, Fla./Jensen Beach) and Raymond before an RBI-double from Mason.

The Knights continued to add on with two more runs in the seventh inning, and Gillen put the exclamation point on the day with a three-run home run in the eighth to help the Knights close the game.

After 19 hits in the opener, the Knights added 17 more in game two. Mason finished with five hits and three RBI in game two, while Gillen had three hits and drove in five. Dylan Williams (Cedar Springs, Mich./Cedar Springs) scored five runs in the game, while Gillen, Raymond and Will Mueller (Aurora, Ill./Metea Valley) each crossed the plate three times.

Ryley Reynolds (Meridian, Miss./Russell Charter Academy) got the start on the mound and pitched four innings, allowing three runs on six hits. Four different relievers saw action in the game, with James Ross (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) and Connor Comiskey (Shelby Township, Mich./Lutheran North) combining to pitch 2.2 scoreless innings in middle relief.

Calvin improved to 12-11 on the season and 4-2 in MIAA play with the sweep. Olivet fell to 2-18 on the season and 0-6 in league play after the two defeats.

COACH'S COMMENT: "Great overall performance today," Calvin head baseball coach Kevin Van Duyn said. "It's hard to go on the road and get two, but any time you can score in 13 of 15 total innings, it's going to be a good day. Pitching was stellar. They competed on the mound and kept our opponents off balance. We're proud of the weekend, but we are excited to get back at it on Monday."

NEXT UP: Calvin baseball will return to action on Monday, April 10, when it plays at Alma in a single game scheduled to start at 4:00 PM.