CALVIN KNIGHT SPORTS REPORT FOR APRIL 23, 2018
Softball Sweeps Hope in Conference Doubleheader;
Anna Gernant Named MIAA Softball Pitcher of the Week;
Kelly Pepper Named MIAA Women's Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week;
Katie Diekema Named MIAA Women's Track Athlete of the Week;
Men's Golf Takes Third at Steven Tyler Intercollegiate Tournament
SOFTBALL
Calvin 2, Hope 1
Calvin 4, Hope 1
HOLLAND, Mich. - The Calvin softball team came out on top of the storied Calvin vs. Hope rivalry on Monday afternoon at Hope College. The visiting Knights defeated the No. 20-ranked Flying Dutch 2-1 and 4-1 on Monday. Calvin has now won the last seven meetings in the rivalry. With the sweep, Calvin moves into a tie for second place with Hope at 9-3 in the MIAA standings. Over, Calvin improves to 24-5 and No. 20 Hope falls to 23-6. Calvin's magic number is down to one game to clinch a spot in the MIAA Tournament.
"Today was exciting," said Calvin head coach Becky Hilgert. "The rivalry, Calvin versus Hope, it is fun. We came and did our thing today and focused on being Calvin and doing what we do best. It was a fun day. We have an awesome bench, as a coach it's hard for me because I can't get everyone in the game, but everyone is a part of what we are doing. From top to bottom, everyone is on top of what we are doing. The energy helped carry us today. We have 20 strong in the dugout and as a coach, that is what gives me the greatest excitement about our team.
The Calvin defense started off strong on Monday, in the second inning, Alex Knorp advanced to third base with no outs. Junior Anna Gernant (West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley) responded with three-straight strikeouts to end the threat.
Senior Kaley Frank (Edwardsburg, Mich./Edwardsburg) doubled to left field in the fourth inning to score senior Kimiko Hinastsu (Romeo, Mich./Romeo) from second base.
Sophomore Bri Noorman (Jenison, Mich./Covenant Christian) grounded the Flying Dutch's hopes in the bottom of the fourth inning with a laser from right field to throw out Abby Waller at the plate.
In the fifth inning, senior Jessica Brasser (Rockford, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) singled to score junior Kristen Newman (Chelsea, Mich./Chelsea).
Hope scored its lone run on an error in the seventh inning as Shay Pinhey crossed home plate. Sierra Mutschler then flied out to center field to end the game.
Anna Gernant, who was named the MIAA Pitcher of the Week earlier on Monday recorded seven strikeouts in game one.
Maddie DeGroot led all players with three hits.
"It's tough," Hope coach Mary VandeHoef said. "You want to win for that group of six, but we didn't get the timely hit. We have no option but to regroup."
The Flying Dutch wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in game two. Senior Hayley Reitsma hit a home run in center field that gave her the Hope single-season record with 11 on the year.
The Knights got dirty and gained the lead in the third inning. Maddie DeGroot and Jessica Brasser both slid home safely off a fielder's choice from freshman Grace Stock. Stock then slid in safely off a single from junior Abby Colon (Caledonia, Mich./South Christian). Colon later scored on an error.
"I think today helped define the rest of our season," said Brasser. "We have a huge week this week and it is somewhat daunting, but getting these two wins was just the beginning of climbing the mountain of success this week."
Freshman Ellie Borst kept the Dutch under control on Monday and only allowed two hits. Borst recorded four strikeouts in her 12th victory of the season.
Calvin returns to action on Wednesday for a non-conference doubleheader at Wheaton.
MIAA SOFTBALL STANDINGS THROUGH 4-23-18
Saint Mary's 13-1
Calvin 9-3
Hope 9-3
Trine 7-5
Adrian 6-6
Alma 5-7
Olivet 5-9
Albion 1-11
Kalamazoo 1-11
MORE SOFTBALL
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Anna Gernant was named the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Pitcher of the Week for her performance last week. Gernant helped the Knights go 6-0 last week and 4-0 in the MIAA.
"Anna had a strong week in the circle for our team," said head coach Becky Hilgert. "She did a good job of keeping hitters off balance and was very efficient with hitting her spots in all three starts. Our defense played well behind her and offensively we gave her good run support. This is a nice honor for Anna and our team."
A junior from West Des Moines, Iowa, Gernant is claiming MIAA Pitcher of the Week honors for the third time this season and fourth time in her career.
Against Manchester, Gernant only allowed two hits and struck out 10 batters.
Gernant sprayed the Hornets of Kalamazoo with 12 strikeouts.
On Saturday, she threw a no-hitter to close the week against Albion.
WOMEN'S LACROSSE
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Kelly Pepper was named the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) women's lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week on Monday for games through April 22. Pepper helped the Knights win two MIAA games over Hope and Saint Mary's.
"Kelly had a great week," said Calvin head coach Blake Boehm. "She's really stepped up this year and has taken the initiative to lead our offense. The fact that she's leading the conference in assists and is currently second in points is a testament to her unselfish play. She helped us win two very important victories."
A junior from Wyckoff, New Jersey, Pepper is claiming the honor for the second time this season and fourth time in her career.
Last week, Pepper tallied 12 points on six goals and six assists.
Thursday night against Hope, she had three goals and three assists. She also caused three turnovers and had three ground balls.
At Saint Mary's, Pepper tallied three goals and five assists. The New Jersey native also recorded four ground balls and caused one turnover.
Pepper and the Knights return to play on Wednesday at Trine.
WOMEN'S TRACK AND FIELD
Calvin College senior Katie Diekema has been named the MIAA Women's Track Athlete of the Week.
A native of Kenmore, Washington, Diekema is receiving the honor after a standout race in the 1500 meters Saturday afternoon at the Al Owens Classic hosted by Grand Valley State University.
A graduate of Inglemoor High School, Diekema posted a career-best time of 4:34.11 in the 1500 meters Saturday. Running in a field of Division I and Division II athletes, Diekema took fifth in the race. Her time currently ranks 11th on the NCAA Division III Women's Outdoor Track and Field performance list.
"I am very pleased to see Katie receive this honor," said Calvin head track and field coach Bret Otte. "To run a career-best at this stage of the season is very encouraging. We are looking forward to seeing her race in the weeks to come."
Diekema and the rest of her Calvin teammates will compete this weekend at either the Hillsdale Gina Relays or the Calvin Tune-Up Invitational.
MEN'S GOLF
PORTAGE, Mich. - The Calvin men's golf team took third at the Steven Tyler Intercollegiate tournament hosted by Kalamazoo College at The Moors Golf Club on Monday.
Calvin posted a team score of 315 strokes. Senior Matthew Lumbantoruan (Jakarta, Indonesia/Morningstar Academy) led Calvin with a round of 75 that was good for seventh place individually.
Junior Mitchell Knoor (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) tied for 11th individually with a round of 77.
Freshman Joshua Lansky (Park City, Ut./Park City HS) had a round of 81. Junior Alec DeJonge (Niles, Mich./Brandywine HS) had an 82 while freshman Ben Byker (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian HS) had an 84.
Hope took first place in the team standings with a score of 289. Kade Hoeksema of Hope was the tournament medalist with a round of 67.
Calvin returns to action on Friday afternoon when it hosts the second of three scheduled 18-hole rounds of the 54-hole MIAA Spring Qualifying Tournament. Friday's competition will be held at the Watermark Country Club in Cascade and will be followed with a final round at Watermark Saturday morning at 10 a.m. Calvin is currently one stroke behind Hope in the MIAA Spring Qualifying Tournament standings.
Received on Mon Apr 23 23:13:21 2018
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