ADRIAN, Mich. - Today the Calvin softball opened up MIAA conference play when they traveled to Adrian to take on the Bulldogs where they went 0-2. After today the Knights drop to a 14-6 overall record and a 0-2 MIAA record.

GAME 1
CALVIN 2, ADRIAN 4

In the first game of the afternoon Calvin struck first in the top of the third inning when Carly Dole (Mt. Pleasant, Mich./Mt. Pleasant), who returned to the starting lineup for the first time since March 16th due to injury, gave the Knights a runner when she forced a walk. Taylor Sanborn (Midland, Mich./Midland) then doubled to left center to put two runners in scoring position before senior Emilie Gist (Bettendorf, Iowa/Bettendorf) followed that up with a double of her own to score both runs and give Calvin the 2-0 lead.

The Bulldog did not wait long to respond as they pushed one run across the plate in the bottom of the third before a three run home run put Adrian on top with a score of 4-2. 

In the top of the fourth inning Calvin got a runner on base when Lily Gaastra (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) sent the ball back at the pitcher. Unfortunately, Calvin couldn't get things going offensively and the Bulldogs were able to retire the sign.

The rest of the game proved to be a pitchers battle as both defenses kept the opposing offense at bay. Sophomore pitcher Emma Ludema (Martin, Mich./Wayland) recorded eight strikeouts in her seven innings but ultimately the Knights fell 4-2.

GAME 2
CALVIN 3, ADRIAN 6

In the second game of the day Adrian kept their momentum rolling when they scored three runs in the top of the first inning. In the bottom of the third inning, freshman Aubrey Herder (Kalamazoo, Mich./Kalamazoo Christian) got things started for the Knights when she singled to center field. Herder advanced on a walk and on a fielding error before Gist scored her on a sacrifice fly to make the score 3-1.

The Bulldog retaliated in the top of the fifth with a run of their own to extend their lead to 4-1. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Sanborn led off with a walk to give Calvin a quick runner before Sage Mougin (New Carlisle Ind./New Prairie) entered the game as a pinch runner. Next up, Tory Decker (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity) stepped into the batter's box and reached on a fielder's choice. The Bulldogs defense felt the pressure building and made a fielding error that allowed Mougin to cross the plate.

In the top of the seventh inning Adrian once again bounced back and strung enough hits together to score two more runs and make the score 6-2. In the bottom of the seventh, with the game on the line Dole singled to right field before advancing to third on a ground ball. Dole stole third base and then crossed the plate when the Bulldog center fielder made a fielding error. However, the Knights were unable to keep the offense rolling and Adrian claimed the 6-3 victory.

In the circle, Brooke Hunderman (Grand Rapids, Mich./Calvin Christian) went all seven innings for the Knights where she recorded 13 strikeouts.

UP NEXT: The Knights will be back in action when they welcome the Hornets of Kalamazoo on Tuesday, April 9th. Game one is set to begin at 3 p.m. while game two will start around 5 p.m.