Calvin University

GRAND RAPID, Mich. - Today the Calvin softball team capped off regular season play with an exclamation point when it picked up two wins over rival Hope College. The Knights improved to a 27-11 overall record and 13-3 in MIAA play while the Flying Dutch fell to 9-5 in the conference and 26-10 overall.
 
GAME ONE
CALVIN 8, HOPE 2
 
In the first game of the day, it was the Dutch who got off to a hot start when they led off the top of the first inning with a triple. A fielder's choice play on the next batter allowed the runner to cross the plate and give Hope an early 1-0 lead.
 
The Knights first scoring opportunity came in the bottom of the third inning when sophomore Valeria Frias (Wyoming, Mich./Potters House) forced a lead off walk. Sophomore Emily Cole (Canton, Mich./Canton) entered the game as a pinch runner and was quickly moved into scoring position thanks to a perfect sacrifice bunt from junior Aubrey Herder (Kalamazoo, Mich./Kalamazoo Christian). Two batters later, freshman Audrey Ford (Kalamazoo, Mich./Mattawan) came in clutch when she smoked a double to right field to bring in Cole and tie the score at 1-1.
 
In the circle, senior Brooke Hunderman (Grand Rapids, Mich./Calvin Christian) worked to keep the Dutch hitters off balance and keep their scoring opportunities at a minimum. However, in the top of the fifth inning Hope was able to string together enough hits to push their second run of the game across the plate and reclaim a one run lead.
 
Calvin really came alive in the bottom of the sixth inning starting with a lead-off single from freshman Bella Duimstra (Jenison, Mich./Unity Christian). Dole got on base when she forced a walk before a single from junior Natalie Bush (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian) brought Duimstra to tie the score at 2-2. 
 
Back-to-back RBIs from freshman Kendall Jordan (Fishers, Ind./Fishers) and senior Tory Decker (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian) gave the Knights their first lead of the day before a Dutch defensive error allowed pinch runner Reese Veltman (Wayland, Mich./Wayland) to cross the plate and make the score 5-2. The Knights showed no signs of slowing down as Frias and Herder each got in on the RBI action and helped stretch the Calvin lead to five runs. The Knights scored their final run of the inning when a bases-loaded walk from Dole brought home Herder to increase the score to 8-2.
 
In the top of the seventh inning, despite the Dutch getting three runners on base, Hunderman and the rest of the Calvin defense retired the sign with no damage done to pick up the game one victory.
 
Duimstra finished with a team high two hits while Hunderman notched six strikeouts in the circle while only giving up four hits.
 
GAME TWO
CALVIN 5, HOPE 3
 
The Knights carried the momentum they found in the last and brought it into the second when Duimstra singled to lead off the top of the first inning. Dole knocked a double down the left field line two batters later to quickly give Calvin the 1-0 lead. Bush recorded her second RBI of the day when she singled to left field before Decker capped off the early scoring run when she singled to bring in Bush and make the score 3-0.
 
The Flying Dutch punched back with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning before both teams went on a bit of a scoring drought. Senior Emma Ludema (Martin, Mich./Wayland) commanded the circle for the Knights as she kept the Hope hitters at bay for most of the game. 
 
Frias got the Knights rolling again in the top of the sixth inning when she sent a lead off single right back up the middle. Junior Mya Brickley (Battle Creek, Mich./Delton Kellogg) entered the game as a pinch runner and immediately made her presence known when she stole second base to move into scoring position. Not wanting the opportunity to pass by Ford sent the ball through the infield to score Brickley and increase the Calvin lead.
 
Calvin scored their final run of the game in style when Bush sent the ball over the scoreboard in left field for a lead-off home run in the top of the seventh. With their backs against the wall, the Dutch were able to generate a spark in the bottom of the seventh when they scored two runs off and put the tying run on base. However, sophomore relief pitcher Cailin Knoop (Reed City, Mich./Big Rapids) got the job down when she forced a ground ball to second base for the final out of the game and gave the Knights the 5-3 win.

COACHES COMMENTS: "Two really hard fought games and I am really happy how we stayed after it offensively after we struggled the first few times through the order in game one," said head coach Becky Hilgert. "All you need is a spark and we got that big sixth inning to finish the game. In game two it was great to score first but I felt we left way too many runners on base which thankfully didn't cost us in the end. Knoop was big time coming in to get those two outs to close it out just like we practice. I feel we are playing pretty well right now and we'll get some rest, get through finals and get ready for a tough conference tournament next week."
 
UP NEXT: With tonight's sweep the Knights have secured the No. 2 seed in the MIAA Tournament which will take place in Angola, Indiana, Wednesday, May 6th through Friday, May 8th.