GRAND RAPIDS, Mich- Today the Calvin softball team welcomed the Hornets of Kalamazoo for a MIAA doubleheader. The Knights were powered by strong bats and a no-hit pitching performance as they won both games in five innings to get the sweep.
 
GAME 1
CALVIN 11, KALAMAZOO 0
 
In game one both teams were quiet after one inning, and they looked to find their footing. In the bottom of the second inning Emilie Gist (Bettendorf, Iowa/Bettendorf) got things rolling for the Knights when she singled through the left side. A single from Grace Glass (Indianapolis, Ind./North Central) put runners on first and second before Gist stole third. During the next at bat a passed ball allowed Glass to advance to second and Gist to cross the plate for the first run of the game. Senior Kali Yant (Vicksburg, Mich./Vicksburg) drew a walk which brought up Emma Walker (Hamilton, Mich./Saugatuck) who hit an RBI shot over the centerfielder head. Two batters later the bases were loeaded when senior Sydney Duong (Kalamazoo, Mich./Kalamazoo Christian) singled to center field to bring another run in.
 
The bases remained loaded for Hannah Biddlecome (Dallas, Tx./Portage Northern) who sent a ground ball back at the Hornets pitcher. Biddlecome would make it to first on a fielder's choice while the Kalamazoo pitcher would attempt to get the force at home but instead had a wild throw and allowed the Knights to tack on two more runs to their total to make it 5-0.
 
With two runners in scoring position Taylor Sanborn (Midland, Mich./Midland) sent a 2-run RBI double to right center as the Knights continued to add to their lead. Calvin rounded out their second inning scoring when Gist singled to left field and scored Sanborn to make the score 8-0.
 
In the bottom of the third the Knights went right back to work as Yant singled to left field. Walker then singled up the middle before both runners stole a base to put runners on second and third. Two batters later Biddlcome brought both runs in when she doubled up the middle to make the score 11-0.
 
One defense the Knights were locked in behind senior pitcher Kirsten Krause (Fredonia, Wis./Grafton) to shutout the Hornets and win game one. Krause finished her showing with seven strikeout and only allowed 2 hits as she improved to a 9-6 record on the year.
 
GAME 2
CALVIN 10, KALAMAZOO 0
 
In game two Calvin kept their momentum rolling as Sanborn led off the top of the second inning by forcing the Hornets defense to make an error. Josie Vink (Byron Center, Mich./Byron Center) then entered the game as a pinch runner and proceeded to steal second before moving to third on a throwing error. Yant then singled to right field to bring in Vink and give the Knights a 1-0 lead.
 
In the top of the third Duong kicked things off when she beat out a groundball to the shortstop. She then stole second before advancing to third on a fly ball to the outfield. Back-to-back double by Carly Dole (Mt. Pleasant, Mich./Mt. Pleasant) and Sanborn stretched the Knights lead to 3-0. Ali Shultz then entered the game as a pinch hitter and hit a double to right center to score Sanborn. Schultz advanced to third when the Kalamazoo outfielder threw the ball in and then scored when the catcher let the ball slip by. The Knights rounded out their scoring for the inning when Yant reached base on an error before being brought home when Walker doubled to right center.
 
With a 6-0 lead the Knights showed no signs of slowing down as Biddlecome beat out a bunt in the top of the fourth. Dole then stepped up and hit a triple to right center to give the Knights another run. On the next play Sanborn doubled up the middle to make the score 8-0. The inning continued as Tory Decker reached base on an error and Glass singled. Both runs were brought in when Yant doubled down the left field line to give the Knights a 10-0 lead.
 
On defense freshman Emma Ludema (Martin, Mich./Wayland) powered the Knights for the win as she threw her first career no-hitter. This is the first no-hitter by a Calvin pitcher since Anna Garnant tossed a pair of no-no's in 2016. Ludema finished her outstanding showing with five strikeouts and only allowed one runner on base.
 
COACHES COMMENT: "Great to pick up two more MIAA conference wins today," said head coach Becky Hilgert. "We really talked about continuing to focus on us and working on our game and I thought we did a good job of that in both game. Pitching and defense were stellar and offensively and I loved our aggressiveness on the bases."
 
UP NEXT: The Knights will finish their regular season play on Saturday, May 6 when they welcome Saint Mary's to Gainey Athletics Complex for Senior Day. Game one is set to begin at 1 p.m. while game two is slated for 3 p.m.