Calvin University

WINONA, Minn. - Today the Calvin softball team closed out their season when the dropped two games to the Cardinals of Saint Mary's in the semifinals of the NCAA III Tournament Regionals.
 
GAME ONE 
CALVIN 1, SAINT MARY'S 5
 
In the first game of the day the Knights drew first blood when freshman Kendall Jordan (Fishers, Ind./Fishers) launched a home run over the left field fence in the bottom of the second to give Calvin the 1-0 lead. It was Jordan's third home run of the season and her fifty-third hit, enough to break into the top ten in the Calvin record books for most hits in a single season.
 
However, the lead didn't last long as the Cardinals responded with a three-run home run of their own in the top of the third to make the game 3-1. Bethany Lutheran kept the momentum on their side when they tacked on another run in the fourth before tacking on two more in the sixth. Down the stretch, the Knights were unable to generate runs offensively and ultimately fell to the Cardinals 6-1.
 
Senior Brooke Hunderman (Grand Rapids, Mich./Calvin Christian) started the game in the circle for the Knights where she recorded three strikeouts before being relieved by sophomore Cailin Knoop (Reed City, Mich./Big Rapids) in the sixth inning. 
 
GAME TWO
CALVIN 4, SAINT MARY'S 6
 
Due to the double elimination format of the tournament coming into the play the Knights once again geared up to take on Saint Mary's in a winner take all situation. Calvin continued their stretch of getting hot early as freshman Audrey Ford (Kalamazoo, Mich./Mattawan) forced a walk in the top of the first inning. Up next, senior Carly Dole (Mt. Pleasant, Mich./Mt. Pleasant) stepped into the batter's box and delivered an early home run to left field to give Calvin the quick 2-0 lead.
 
However, in the bottom of the second inning the Cardinals fought back as they pushed two runs of their own across the plate to even the game at 2-2. Another run from Saint Mary's in the bottom of the third inning gave the Cardinals the lead before two runs in the bottom of the sixth extended their advantage. 
 
In the top of the seventh, now in a do-or-die situation, the Knights got off to a good start when back-to-back singles from freshman Bella Duimstra (Jenison, Mich./Unity Christian) and Ford put the Knights in a good position. Two plays later, a fielder's choice play allowed Ford to score as Calvin cut the lead down to two runs. However, that would be as close as the Knights got as Calvin would eventually fall to Saint Mary's 4-6.
 
Senior Emma Ludema (Martin, Mich./Wayland) started in the circle for the Knights before Hunderman stepped in during the fifth inning. 
 
COACHES COMMENTS: "Just two really good softball games today," said head coach Becky Hilgert. "I give Saint Mary's credit, they are a heck of a team and every time we threw a punch they punched back. Unfortunately, we had a few too many mental and physical mistakes that you just can't make it this caliber of a game and that really was the difference.
 
Overall, just so proud of our team and the fight we showed the last half of the season. A huge credit goes to our five seniors and the leadership they showed on and off the field all season. Carly (Dole), Emma (Ludema), Brooke (Hunderman), Alanna (Garcia) and Tory (Decker) had unbelievable careers, and I am proud how they left it all on the field and all of them can walk away with no regrets. They left quite the mark on our young players and now their legacy will live on in each of their teammates. Couldn't be prouder of this group and a special thanks to all the parents and families who supported us throughout the season."