ANDERSON, Ind. - Today the Calvin softball team hit the road for a non-conference doubleheader against the Ravens of Anderson. After picking up the sweep the Knights improved to a 11-5 overall record while Anderson fell to 3-5.
 
GAME 1
CALVIN 9, ANDERSON 0
 
In game one the Knights didn't wait long to get on the board as senior catcher Taylor Sanborn (Midland, Mich./Midland) doubled to right field to score junior Carly Dole (Mt. Pleasant, Mich./Mt. Pleasant) and sophomore Aubrey Herder (Kalamazoo, Mich./Kalamazoo Christian). 
 
In the second inning, Herder singled to score Emma Walker (Hamilton, Mich./Saugatuck) and Tory Decker (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian) before Sanborn added to her RBI total in the bottom of the second when she singled up the middle to make the score 5-0.
 
The Knights continued to put on an offensive clinic in the top of the sixth inning when Dole knocked a single to center field and Herder crossed the plate. The Knights wrapped up their scoring a few batters later when Sanborn hit a three-run homer over the center field fence to make the score 9-0 and secure the Knights victory.
 
Sanborn finished the game with six RBIs and three hits while Herder chipped in three hits and two RBIs. Junior Brooke Hunderman (Grand Rapids, Mich./Calvin Christian) went the distance for Calvin in the circle where she recorded a season high twelve strikeouts and only gave up one hit.
 
GAME 2
CALVIN 6, ANDERSON 4
 
In game two, the Ravens looked to bounce back as they notched two quick runs in the bottom of the first. The Knights responded quickly in the top of the second inning when Decker singled up the middle to score Sanborn and make the score 1-2.
 
In the circle, junior Emma Ludema (Martin, Mich./Wayland) worked to keep the Anderson hitters off-balance as the game turned into a bit of a pitching battle. The next scoring opportunity wouldn't come until the top of the fifth when Sanborn forced the Ravens defense to make a play which allowed freshman Valeria Frias (Wyoming, Mich./Potters House) to cross the plate.
 
Now, with the score tied 2-2, the Ravens tried to take back the momentum in the bottom of the inning when they pushed a run across the plate to reclaim the lead. However, the Knights came alive offensively in the top of the sixth as Frias, Herder, and Emily Sweetland (Ann Arbor, Mich./Saline) all notched RBIs to put Calvin up by three runs.
 
Anderson would go on to grab one more run in the bottom of the sixth but would ultimately not be able to overcome the deficit as Calvin picked up the 6-4 victory.
 
Frias and Decker each ended the game with three hits while Ludema recorded five strikeouts in five innings. Senior Zoe Hazelhoff (Kalamazoo, Mich./Kalamazoo Christian) made an appearance in relief where she would record one strikeout and pick up her third save of the season.
 
COACHES COMMENTS: "It was good to get two wins on the road in a tough environment," said head coach Becky Hilgert. "In game one, I liked how we scored early and kept the pressure on offensively with runs in the first three innings. Brooke was efficient with her pitches and our defense played error free. In game 2, we had to make a few adjustments offensively and keep the ball out of the air with the strong winds, and late in the game, we strung together a few key at bats to come out victorious. Zoe did a great job coming in late and finishing the game to get the save."
 
UP NEXT: The Knights will be back in action tomorrow when they make the quick trip over to DePauw for two more non-conference games. Game one is set for 1PM and game two will begin around 3PM.