CLEVELAND, Ohio - Today the Calvin softball team continued NCAA Tournament play when it took on seventh ranked Case Western Reserve University in its second game of the regional round.
 
After a three hour rain delay, the teams finally took the field where the Spartans of Case Western were the designated home team. Through the first few innings, despite constantly getting base runners thanks to hits from Tory Decker (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian) and Aubrey Herder (Kalamazoo, Mich./Kalamazoo Christian), Calvin was unable to cash in. 
 
However, with sophomore Brooke Hunderman (Grand Rapids, Mich./Calvin Christian) in the circle, the Knights remained strong in the field as the score remained 0-0 through three innings.
 
The Knights got rolling offensively in the top of the fourth inning when senior Emilie Gist (Bettendorff, Iowa/Bettendorff) sent a shot to left center field and pulled into second base. Emma Walker (Hamilton, Mich./Saugatuck) and Emily Sweetland (Ann Arbor, Mich./Saline) forced back-to-back walk to load the bases for junior designated hitter Lily Gaastra (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian). After working to a 2-2 count Gaastra put the barrel to the ball as she sent a line drive over the Spartan center fielder's head to clear the bases and give Calvin the 3-0 lead.
 
In the top of the sixth inning, the Knights kept their foot on the gas as Decker led off with a double to right center. Up next, Walker forced a walk before Gaastra singled through the right side to load the bases. Taking advantage of the opportunity, back-to-back singles from Carly Dole (Mt. Pleasant, Mich./Mt. Pleasant) and Herder boosted the Calvin lead to 5-0. With bases still loaded, the Knights rounded out their scoring when junior Taylor Sanborn (Midland, Mich./Midland) brought in two runs with a single to center field.
 
The Spartans tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh inning and were able to get on run across the plate but the deficit was too great as Calvin picked up the 7-1 win to advance to the NCAA regional finals.
 
In the circle, Hunderman succeeded in keeping the Case Western hitters off balance as she recorded four strikeouts while only giving up five hits as she led the Knights to victory.
 
Today's win improved Calvin's overall record to 34-10 which sets a new school record for wins in a season.
 
COACHES COMMENT: "Again, another gritty win for us," said head coach Becky Hilgert. "We really wanted to come in and be the aggressors and I'm really proud of how we attacked. We made them throw some pitches to us and I think we were very disciplined at the plate and we came through with some big hits in some big moments. I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue to play with this squad and to keep this season going. We're thrilled to be here and to be in this moment and this team has earned that right. Tomorrow we're going to look to keep fighting and give it our all."
 
UP NEXT: The Knights will be back in action tomorrow morning at 11 AM where they will have a rematch against either Case Western Reserve or Dominican for the NCAA Regional Championship.