KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Today the Calvin softball team hit the road to take on the Hornets of Kalamazoo where it won both games to pick up the sweep. After today the Knights improved to a 15-9 overall record and a 3-1 MIAA record while Kalamazoo fell to 11-11 overall and 0-4 in the MIAA.
 
GAME 1
CALVIN 5, KALAMAZOO 3
 
In the first game of the day, the Hornets came out swinging as they got on the board with a run in the bottom of the first inning. However, the Knights didn't wait long to respond as senior Emma Walker (Hamilton, Mich./Saugatuck) singled to score fellow senior Taylor Sanborn (Midland, Mich./Midland). Calvin kept things rolling that inning when Lily Gaastra (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) sent a shot back up the middle to score junior Tory Decker (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian) and Walker to give the Knights a 3-1 lead.
 
In the top of the fourth inning Calvin got a boost when Sanborn led off with a home run to center field. Up next, Decker doubled to left center to give the Knights a base runner before being brought in a few plays later on a sacrifice fly from Walker. 
 
Despite Kalamazoo responding with two runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth inning the Knights were able to hold off the Hornets and walk away with the 5-3 victory. Sophomore Emily Sweetland (Ann Arbor, Mich./Saline) recorded two hits while Decker led the team with three hits. Walker and Gaastra each finished with two RBIs. 
 
In the circle, junior Brooke Hunderman (Grand Rapids, Mich./Calvin Christian) got the start where she recorded six strikeouts before being relieved by senior Zoe Hazelhoff (Kalamazoo, Mich./Kalamazoo Christian) in the sixth inning. Hazelhoff picked up her fourth save of the season and sixth of her career, enough to match both the single season and career saves record.
 
GAME 2
CALVIN, KALAMAZOO
 
In the second game of the doubleheader the Hornets looked to bounce back as they took an early lead with a two run home run in the top of the second. In the bottom of the inning, Decker and Carly Dole (Mt. Pleasant, Mich./Mt. Pleasant) took advantage of a Kalamazoo defensive error as they both crossed the plate to even the score.
 
In the third inning, Calvin added to their score when sophomore Aubrey Herder (Kalamazoo, Mich./Kalamazoo Christian) hit a sacrifice fly to score freshman Valeria Frias (Wyoming, Mich./Potters House) before Dole knocked a triple to right center to score Sweetland.
 
Kalamazoo tried to find an answer as they pushed a run across the plate in the fourth inning but Calvin responded quickly as Herder recorded another RBI in the fifth inning to make the score 5-3.
 
In the top of the seventh inning, Kalamazoo tried to make a comeback as they scored a run to cut the Knights lead down to one. However, looking to close things out, the Calvin defense tightened up and shut down the rest of the Hornets scoring attempts to pick up the 5-4 victory.
 
Herder finished the game with a team high two RBIs while Dole recorded three hits. Junior Emma Ludema (Martin, Mich./Martin) started the game in the circle for the Knights before Hazelhoff entered the game in the fourth inning and recorded the win.

COACHES COMMENTS: "Two tough wins against a very good Kalamazoo team," said head coach Becky Hilgert. "We got down early in both games and I was really happy how we responded the next inning with runs. We still need to be more consistent on both sides of the ball, but overall, I was pleased with our energy and fight for 14 innings."
 
UP NEXT: The Knights will be back in action tomorrow Saturday, April 12th when they welcome Trine for a MIAA doubleheader. Game one will begin at 1PM with game two starting around 3PM.