CLERMONT, Fl. - Today the Calvin softball team opened its 2026 campaign as it went 1-1 on the first day of its spring break trip.
 
GAME ONE
CALVIN 8, SWARTHMORE 11
 
In their first game of the day the Knights looked to take on the Phoenix of Swarthmore College. Swarthmore got in an offensive groove early as they scored two runs in the first three innings before tacking on one more in the fourth to take a 7-0 lead.
 
After holding the Phoenix scoreless in the top of the fifth, freshman Audrey Ford (Kalamazoo, Mich./Mattawan) gave the Knights a spark when she led off the bottom of the inning with a single up the middle. Junior Mya Brickley (Battle Creek, Mich./Delton Kellogg) followed with a single of her own and a walk from Aubrey Herder (Kalamazoo, Mich./Kalamazoo Christian) loaded the bases for Calvin. Junior Jaye Guichelaar (Sparta, Mich./West Catholic) entered the game as a pinch hitter and seized the opportunity as she singled through the right side to score the Knights first run of the season.
 
Another run crossed the plate when freshman Kendall Jordan (Fishers, Ind./Fishers) singled to left field before a walk from senior Carly Dole (Mt. Pleasant, Mich./Mt. Pleasant) allowed another Knight to make it home. With bases still loaded, junior Natalie Bush (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian) stepped to the plate and delivered a clutch single to right field to score two runs and make the score 7-5.
 
Clearly rattled, the Phoenix committed two defensive mishaps that allowed Dole and Bush to cross the plate and just like that the game was tied. Swarthmore retired the sign three batters later but not before a ground ball from Ford allowed senior Tory Decker (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian) to score and give Calvin a 8-7 lead.
 
However, despite the momentum that the Knights had found, the Phoenix found a way to rise and responded quickly with three more runs of their own in the top of the sixth inning. Swarthmore added one more run in the top of the seventh as they built a lead the Knights couldn't overcome and Calvin fell 11-8.
 
GAME TWO
CALVIN 6, LEBONON VALLEY 1
 
In game two the Knights turned their attention to the Flying Dutchmen of Lebanon Valley. After two scoreless innings junior Emily Sweetland (Ann Arbor, Mich./Saline) got things rolling when she led off the top of the third inning with a single through the left side. Junior Roan Stanifer (Mishawaka, Ind./Marian) beat out a bunt to get on first before an error from the Lebanon Valley defense allowed both Calvin runners to cross the plate. Two batters later, Ford sent the ball back up the middle to score herder and make the score 3-0.
 
The Flying Dutch responded with a run in the bottom of the inning before any momentum they had was smothered when Guichelaar hit an inside the park homerun in the fourth inning to make the score 4-1. 
 
The Knights added two insurance runs in the top of the sixth off a single from Sweetland and went on to record the 6-1 victory. 
 
COACHES COMMENTS: "It was great to be back in Florida to kick off our season," said head coach Becky Hilgert. "We certainly have had a whirlwind 36 hours with our travel but we were ready and prepared in all aspects to compete as a group today. I am excited about the potential we have with our lineup both offensively and defensively and in my time at Calvin this is by far the deepest team we've ever had. A little of that depth was on display today and we certainly look at this week as an opportunity to see who fits where. We'll enjoy a well-deserved rest day tomorrow, and be ready to compete again against two quality teams on Monday."
 
UP NEXT: The Knights will be back in action on Monday, March 9th when they take on Westminster College (Pa.) at 11:30 AM and Carthage College at 1:45 PM.