GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Today the Calvin women's softball team welcomed the Hornets of Kalamazoo where they went 1-1 on the day.

GAME 1
CALVIN 11, KALAMAZOO 2

In game one the Knights got on the scoreboard quickly when Carly Dole (Mt. Pleasant, Mich./Mt. Pleasant) led off the bottom of the first inning with a walk. Emilie Gist (Bettendorf, Iowa/Bettendorf) found her way on base when she was hit by a pitch before a wild pitch allowed both runners to advance into scoring position. This brought up junior Taylor Sanborn (Midland, Mich./Midland) who took advantage of the opportunity and doubled to left field to score both runs and give Calvin a 2-0 lead.

The Knights kept things rolling in the bottom of the third inning when Lily Gaastra (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) stepped into the box with bases loaded. Gaastra delivered a single into the right center gap that allowed two runs to score to increase the Calvin lead. With two runners still on base Tory Decker (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian) sent the ball into left field for a double while both runners crossed the plate to make the score 6-0.

Emma Walker (Hamilton, Mich./Saugatuck) kept the momentum going when she singled to score Decker. Two batters later the Knight once again found themselves with bases loaded for Glass who tripled down the left field line to score all of the base runners and make the score 10-0. Calvin rounded out their scoring for the inning when a single from Gist allowed Glass to score.

Despite the Calvin lead the Hornets refused to back down as they got a hold of one for a two run home run in the top of the fourth inning. In the top of the fifth inning Kalamazoo pushed another run across the plate and threatened more as they had two runners in scoring position with just one out. However, sophomore pitcher Emma Ludema (Martin, Mich./Wayland) and the Knights defense locked in as Ludema struck out one batter before forcing a pop fly from the next to secure the 11-3 Calvin win in just five innings.

Glass finished the game with three RBIs while Decker, Gaastra and Sanborn each had two RBIs. Ludema went the distance for the Knights where she recorded four strikeouts while only giving up four hits.

GAME TWO
CALVIN 0, KALAMAZOO 1

The second game of the evening proved to be a pitching battle as both offenses struggled to get a bat on the ball. The first good opportunity for either team came in the top of the fifth inning when Glass singled up the middle to give Calvin a runner. She stole second base before a fly ball moved her to third. Next up was Sanborn who watched four balls go by and took her base. Ella Steele (San Jose, Calif./Valley Christian) entered the game as a pinch runner and promptly stole second base to put two runners in scoring position for the Knights. Unfortunately, a fly ball to left field allowed the Hornets to wiggle out of the inning with no damage done.

Sophomore Brooke Hunderman (Grand Rapids, Mich./Calvin Christian) started the game for Calvin in the circle and was able to keep the Kalamazoo batters on their heels until the bottom of the sixth inning when the Hornets strung together enough hits to load the bases with no outs. With the threat looming Zoe Hazelhoff (Kalamazoo, Mich./Kalamazoo Christian) entered the circle for the Knights and immediately recorded a clutch strikeout. With one out and bases still loaded a stray pitch hit a Kalamazoo batter and allowed them to push a run across the plate and take a 1-0 lead. Hazelhoff proceeded to strike out the next two batters to give Calvin a fighting chance.

In the top of the seventh inning, despite getting two base runners, the Knights couldn't score the game tying run and Kalamazoo picked up the 1-0 win.

During the game, Hunderman recorded six strikeouts while Hazelhoff recorded three strikeouts.

COACHES COMMENTS: "We play in a very tough conference and I continue to press to our team that everyone is good," said head coach Becky Hilgert. "Every game going forward is going to be a battle and everyone wants to win. We have a long way to go and we just need to keep digging in, find some grit and keep working to get better offensively. Our team goals are still obtainable."

UP NEXT: The Knights will be back in action on Saturday, April 13th when they travel to Angola, Ind. to take on Trine. Game one will begin at 1 p.m. with game two set for 3 p.m.