Winona, Mich. - Today the Calvin softball team kicked off its appearance in the NCAA III Tournament Regional hosted by Saint Mary's with a bang when it defeated the Vikings of Bethany Lutheran 8-0 in rune-rule fashion in a game that lasted just five innings.
The Knights wasted no time getting things rolling when freshman
Bella Duimstra (Jenison, Mich./Unity Christian) led off the bottom of the first inning with single to left field. She moved herself into scoring position when she stole second base before a fly ball allowed her to advance to third. Now, not wanting to waste an early scoring opportunity, junior
Natalie Bush (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian) continued to shine at the plate as she delivered a timely double to give Calvin the 1-0 lead. Freshman
Kendall Jordan (Fishers, Ind./Fishers) followed with an RBI single of her own to extend the Knights lead to 2-0.
Looking to fight back, the Vikings threatened in the top of the fourth inning when they found a way to get runners on first and second with no outs. However, led by senior pitcher
Brooke Hunderman (Grand Rapids, Mich./Calvin Christian), the Knights were able to retire the sign and escape the jam with no runs given up.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, freshman
Audrey Ford (Kalamazoo, Mich./Mattawan) knocked a lead off single before a few defensive miscues from Bethany Lutheran loaded the bases for the Knights with no outs. This brought up Jordan who forced the Vikings defense to make another fielding error and allowed the first run of the inning to cross the plate. With bases still loaded, senior
Tory Decker (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian) made her mark on the game when she knocked a double to left field to bring in two runs and stretch the Calvin lead to 5-0. Pinch hitter
Alanna Garcia (Holt, Mich./Holt) and Duimstra got in on the action as they both notched RBI singles before a wild pitch allowed pinch runner
Reese Veltman (Wayland, Mich./Wayland) to cross the plate and hand the Knights the 8-0 victory.
Jordan and Decker finished with two RBIs apiece while Hunderman went the distance for Calvin in the circle where she recorded five strikeouts and only gave up three hits.
COACHES COMMENTS: "I am really happy how we came out and scored two runs in the bottom of the first," said head coach
Becky Hilgert. "I think that helped us settle some nerves and energy. Defensively we played well behind Brooke and she did a good job spinning the ball and keeping their hitters off balance. Offensively we are playing well so I'm looking forward to another good match up tomorrow."
UP NEXT: The Knights will be back in action tomorrow afternoon (Friday, May 14th) when they take on host school Saint Mary's (Minn.) at noon (CT).
