CALVIN KNIGHT SPORTS REPORT FOR MAY 1, 2017
Benzel Named MIAA Women's Tennis Player of the Week;
Keane Named MIAA Baseball Pitcher of the Week;
Calvin Track and Field Prepares to Host MIAA Field Day
WOMEN'S TENNIS
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Ellie Benzel claimed Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) women's tennis Player of the Week honors on Monday for matches through April 30. Benzel helped the Knights clinch the No. 2 seed in the MIAA Tournament with victories over Saint Mary's and Kalamazoo. This is the second time in her career and first time this season that Benzel has claimed the honor.
"Ellie really had a great week for us," said head coach Kevin Van Haitsma. "We had our two biggest matches of the year, and she probable had her best week of play for the year. She had two big singles victories and another doubles win with Claire to help set the tone. Our team played about as well as we could have this week, and it's nice to see Ellie honored as Player of the Week."
Benzel, a senior and native of San Dimas, California, earned three points last week for the Knights.
At No. 3 singles, Benzel defeated Sam Setterblad of Saint Mary's in a three-set thriller, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. The victory helped secure a 6-3 victory and set up a battle for second place on Saturday.
Benzel got things rolling for Calvin at No. 1 doubles on Saturday with senior Claire Spoelhof. The senior duo downed Maria Franco and Laura Hanselman of Kalamazoo 8-6 and helped Calvin take all three doubles points from the Hornets.
The Calvin senior picked up a key point at No. 3 singles. Benzel bounced Eloise Germic, 6-3, 6-1. The victory helped the Knights defeat the Hornets for the first time since 2011 and secure the No. 2 seed in the MIAA Tournament.
Benzel finished the MIAA season with a 5-2 record in doubles play and went 4-1 at No. 3 singles.
Benzel and the Knights return to action on Thursday in the MIAA Tournament semifinals against Kalamazoo.
BASEBALL
For the first time in his collegiate career, Calvin College sophomore Jonathan Keane has been selected as the MIAA Pitcher of the Week.
A native of Brookfield, Wisconsin, Keane had a pair of superlative performances on the mound last week, tossing shutout victories against both Alma and Olivet.
On April 24, Keane tossed a three-hit complete game shutout victory in a 1-0 win over Alma. He struck out nine batters and did not walk a batter in the game.
On April 29, he threw a one-hit complete game shutout in a 4-0 win over Olivet. A graduate of Brookfield Central High School, Keane again struck out nine batters and walked none. The only hit he allowed came in the second inning.
"Jonathan pitched like the ace we knew he would be," said Calvin head baseball coach John Rypel of Keane's week. "He had his slider working all week and he was able to locate his fastball. It's great to see him coming on as strong as he is at such a key point of the season."
Calvin has won 10 of its last 14 games and is currently 18-18 overall and 12-12 in the MIAA. The Knights are currently in sole possession of fourth place in the MIAA standings, two games ahead of Trine.
Calvin will conclude its MIAA regular season this week with a four-game series against Kalamazoo. The Knights are scheduled to host Kalamazoo in a doubleheader on Friday at 2 p.m. and then journey to Kalamazoo on Saturday for a doubleheader slated to start at 1 p.m.
MEN'S AND WOMEN'S TRACK AND FIELD
Calvin College will serve as host of the 126th MIAA Field Day for men's and women's track and field this Thursday and Friday at Zuidema Field.
For complete information on the MIAA Field Day, visit the Calvin website at: http://calvinknights.com/sports/wtrack/2016-17/2017miaafieldday
Received on Mon May 1 22:47:47 2017
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