GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.- Today the Knights kicked off their postseason campaign in the MIAA Tournament. In their first game of the day they took on Alma and won 5-4  in 10 innings before falling to Trine 1-0 in game two - also in 10 innings.
 
GAME 1
CALVIN 5, ALMA 4
 
In their first matchup of the day, Calvin took on No. 3 seed Alma. The Scots got out to quick start as they were on the scoreboard first with a run in the first inning. In the top of the third inning the Scots pushed two more runs across the plate to take an early 3-0 lead over Calvin. However, in the bottom of the third inning Sage Mougin (New Carlisle, Ind./New Prairie) was able to get things rolling when she forced the Alma defense to make an error. Mougin then showed off her speed by stealing second before another defensive error allowed her to score to give the Knights their first run of the day.
 
Still trailing 3-1 the Knights started the bottom of the fifth inning with a double through the left side from senior Sydney Duong (Kalamazoo, Mich./Kalamazoo Christian). Hannah Biddlecome (Dallas, Tx./Portage Northern) then singled to the shortstop to give Calvin runners at first and second with only one out. This brought up Carly Dole (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian) who cashed in the RBI when she singled up the middle to score Duong and bring the Knights within one. On the next play Taylor Sanborn (Midland, Mich./Midland) hit a dribbler down the third base line that appeared to be going foul but instead took a bounce back into fair territory. While the Alma defense scrabbled to make a play Biddlecome took off to home and crossed the plate to tie the game at 3-3.
 
Both pitchers and defenses remain strong through the seventh inning so with the teams still neck and neck the game headed into extras. While the eighth inning was scoreless, the Scots found a way to push a runner across the plate in the top of the ninth to give Alma a slight lead. In the bottom of the inning the Knights found themselves in a do-or-die situation as Duong got things started by beating out a bunt. After Biddlecome also beat out a bunt and moved Duong to third, a long sacrifice fly from Dole brought the runner home to tie the game up once again.
 
The Calvin defense and pitcher Kirsten Krause (Fredonia, Wis./Grafton) made a big stand in the top of the tenth inning by not allowing Alma to score and to give themselves a chance to win in the bottom of the inning. Sophomore Emma Walker (Hamilton, Mich./Saugatuck) gave Calvin a base runner when she led off with a single through the left side of the infield before a fielding error by the Scots moved Walker into scoring position. This brought up Duong who came in clutch with a double to right center that brought in Walker for the winning run.
 
Krause went the distance on the mound for the Knights and recorded ten strikeouts during the showing. 
 
GAME 2
CALVIN 0, TRINE 1
 
In their second game of the evening the Knights took on No. 1 seed Trine in the first game of the winner's bracket in the MIAA Tournament. Earlier in the season when these two teams met, they were very evenly matched as they split the doubleheader and right away it was clear that today's showdown was going to be very similar.
 
The Knights had a quick scoring opportunity in the top of the first inning as Dole added to her record-breaking season triples total but was left stranded in scoring position. Their next chance came in the top of the third inning when Mougin singled to left field. Two batters later, Biddlecome found her way on with a single of her own before the Thunder retired the sign and held the Knights scoreless.
 
On defense Calvin held strong behind freshman Emma Ludema (Martin, Mich./Wayland) as the Knights closed all the gaps to keep Trine's offense off-balance. After seven innings neither team was able to find a run and Calvin headed into extra innings for the second time that day.
 
Duong singled in the top of the eighth and Sanborn singled in the top of the ninth but unfortunately the Knights couldn't string enough hits together to bring either runner home.
 
Both teams continued to search for holes in the opposing defense until the bottom of the tenth when Trine's Ashleigh Tranter sent a rocket over the left center fence to give the Thunder the 1-0 victory.
 
Ludema pitched all ten innings for Calvin and recorded four strikeouts and gave up five hits.
 
COACHES COMMENTS: "It was quite a day of softball," said head coach Becky Hilgert. "Two ten inning games in this playoff atmosphere was something you don't experience often. I was really proud of how we battled and fought throughout today. Against Trine the difference was one swing, but that was a heck of a game by two top notch programs. We have to flush the loss quick and come back ready to go tomorrow morning against a tough Adrian squad."
 
UP NEXT: The Knights will be back in action tomorrow at 10 a.m. as they continue MIAA Tournament play with an elimination game against Adrian.