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Marie Prins: ‘all in’
Friday, June 01, 2012
By Lynn Rosendale
As the only senior on this year’s softball team, Marie Prins knows a thing or two about leadership. “It’s been a journey for me,” said Prins. “I feel like I’ve grown a lot as a leader and captain of this team.”
Lina Avila Finishes Among Nation’s Leaders in Home Runs
Friday, May 25, 2012
Calvin College sophomore Lina Avila has finished high in the final set of NCAA III softball statistics. A native of Lakewood, California, and a graduate of Valley Christian High School, Avila finished second in the final NCAA III statistics in home runs per-game (0.36) and tied for sixth in home runs overall (13). This spring, Avila established a new Calvin single-season record for home runs with 13 and matched the Calvin single-season record for RBIs with 38. She was named to both the All-MIAA second team and Division III All-Central Region second team. Avila split time between the pitcher’s circle and third base this spring on a Calvin team that finished 15-21 overall, an improvement of nine games over its 2011 season.
Lina Avila Named to NFCA Division III All-Central Region Second Team in Softball
Monday, May 14, 2012
NFCA Division III All-Region Teams
Calvin College sophomore Lina Avila has been named to the Division III All-Central Region second team in softball by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. A native of Lakewood, California, Avila is the first all-region softball selection from Calvin since Jeanne Cole, Abby Konyndyk and Rachelle Heyboer received All-Central Region honors in 2005. A graduate of Valley Christian High School, Avila finished the 2012 season with a .321 batting average with 13 home runs and 38 RBI’s. Her home run total is a new Calvin single-season record while her RBI total matches the Calvin single-season record originally set by Abby Konyndyk in 2005. Avila also collected 11 doubles and a pair of triples for a slugging percentage of .830.
Marie Prins and Lina Avila Named to All-MIAA Second Team in Softball
Monday, May 07, 2012
Marie Prins and Lina Avila have been named to the All-MIAA second team in softball. Both are receiving All-MIAA second team honors for the first time. A native of Hudsonville and a graduate of Hudsonville Unity Christian High School, Prins batted .352 in league play this spring with 12 runs scored, 10 runs batted and three home runs. She also had an on-base percentage of .435 and a fielding percentage of .972 while playing first base.Avila hails from Lakewood, California. She is a graduate of Valley Christian High School. This spring she split time between third base and the pitcher’s circle. In league play, she was 4-5 with three shutouts and a 3.15 earned run average. At the plate, she clubbed four home runs and drove in 11 runs. She also had seven doubles, one triple and a slugging percentage of .745. Defensively, she did not commit an error in league play, successfully fielding 58 total chances. She tied for fifth in the MIAA in pitching victories and innings pitched (58.0) and was tied for second in shutouts. At the plate, she tied for the league lead in doubles and was tied for second in home runs.
Softball Closes Out Season With Dramatic Walk-Off 1-0 Win at Adrian
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
ADRIAN - For the second time in three games, Calvin recorded a walk-off win, defeating the host Bulldogs of Adrian 1-0 Tuesday afternoon. Freshman Christie VanderMeer (Grandville/Grandville HS) smacked a two-out single into right field to score the game-winning run from third give the Knights the win. With Tuesday’s victory, Calvin concludes its 2012 season with an overall record of 15-21 – a nine-game improvement over its 2011 campaign. The Knights also finish 6-10 in the MIAA, good for a tie for sixth place in the league standings with Olivet. Calvin concludes the season with four wins in its last six games including two wins over teams (Adrian and Alma) headed to the four-team MIAA Tournament later this week.Senior Marie Prins (Hudsonville/Unity Christian HS) closed out her Calvin career in style, going 3-for-3 at the plate to finish with a season batting average of .394 and a season hit total of 41. Her average is the highest by a Calvin player since Jeanne Cole batted .425 in 2005. Her hit total is also the highest since Cole collected 51 hits in 2005. Prins concludes her Calvin career with a four-year batting average of .336 (140-for-417).
Softball Wins Suspended Game at Alma 2-1 in 11 Innings For First Win Over Scots Since 2005
Friday, April 27, 2012
Photo by Sandy Palmatter
ALMA - Calvin picked up its first victory over Alma since 2005 Friday afternoon, defeating the Scots 2-1 in 11 innings. Friday’s game marked the conclusion of a second game of a Wednesday doubleheader that was suspended by darkness after eight innings of play with the game tied 0-0. Calvin scored two runs in the bottom of the 11th with two outs to gain the win. Senior Marie Prins (Hudsonville/Unity Christian HS) drove in the tying run with a double and freshman Catherine Hillbrands (Grand Rapids/Grand Rapids Christian HS) drove in the game-winner with a walk-off single. Freshman Trista Brownlee received the win, striking out four in 11 innings of work, upping her season record to 7-10. Prins and Hillbrands both had two hits for the Knights. With the win, Calvin moves into a tie for sixth place in the MIAA standings with Olivet and remains one game ahead of eighth place Albion. Calvin will close out its season on Saturday with a doubleheader at Adrian at 1 p.m.
Softball Goes Extra Innings Twice at Alma - Avila Breaks Calvin Single-Season HR Mark
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
ALMA - The softball team dropped a heartbreaking 3-2 loss in nine innings in game one of a doubleheader Wednesday afternoon at Scots Park. In game one, Calvin sophomore Lina Avila (Lakewood, CA/Valley Christian HS) cranked her 11th home run of the season - allowing her to establish a new Calvin single-season record for home runs, breaking the previous record of 10 set by Abby Konyndyk in 2005. Alma scored single runs in the third and sixth to tie the game and then used a pair of hits and a Calvin error in the ninth to claim the win. Avila took the loss for the Knights. In game two, Calvin and Alma battled to a 0-0 tie through eight innings before darkness swept in. The game has been suspended. The game has been suspended. Whether the game will be resumed has not yet been determined. Both teams had chances to win late. Calvin had the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh but could not drive home the winning run. In the top of the eighth, Alma loaded the bases with one out but Calvin starting pitcher Trista Brownlee (Saginaw/Saginaw Valley Lutheran HS) was able to get out the jam with a strikeout and a groundout.
Softball Sweeps Goshen - Avila Goes Deep Twice - Matches Calvin Single-Season HR Mark
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Story By Mark DeHaan/Photos by Sandy Palmatter
Facing non-conference opponent Goshen College for the third straight season, the Knights looked to break a four game losing streak against the visiting Maple Leafs. Calvin did just that, handing Goshen a 5-3 defeat in game one and then coming back for a 9-0 win in the nightcap to complete the doubleheader sweep. Sophomore Lina Avila belted a home run in both games, raising her season total to 10 and matching the Calvin single-season home run record originally established by Abby Konyndyk in 2005. Avila also claimed the win in game one in the pitcher’s circle while freshman Trista Brownlee got the win in game two.
Softball Drops Both Ends of Doubleheader Against League-Leading Trine
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Story by Mark DeHaan
Coming off a pair of tough losses to the Flying Dutch of Hope, the Knights looked to regather themselves and possibly pull off an upset against the MIAA-leading Thunder of Trine. Calvin’s upset bid came up short however as the Knights were defeated 10-0 and 9-2. For Calvin in game one, freshman Christie VanderMeer (Grandville/Grandville HS) was 2-for-2 in game one while senior Marie Prins (Hudsonville/Unity Christian HS), on senior day, was 2-for-3. Sophomore Lina Avila (Lakewood, CA/Valley Christian HS) took the loss in the circle for the Knights.VanderMeer, Avila, freshman Catherine Hilbrands, junior Hannah DeWeerd (Grand Rapids/Grand Rapids Christian HS), and freshman Trista Brownlee (Saginaw/Saginaw Valley Lutheran HS) all recorded a hit in game two for the Knights. Prins scored two runs on two walks for Calvin. Brownlee took the loss in the circle while sophomore Danae Miedema (Jenison/Covenant Christian HS) pitched four innings in relief. Calvin returns to action on Tuesday when it hosts non-conference opponent Goshen at 3:30 pm.
Softball Win Streak Snapped in Doubleheader Defeats to Hope
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Story by Mark DeHaan/Photo by Sandy Palmatter
On a six-game win streak, the Knights looked to continue their strong defense against the rival Dutch of Hope College. Calvin’s win streak came to an end however as the Knights were swept by Hope by scores of 11-3 and 9-6. In game one, Hope scored six runs in the top of the first to take control. Senior Marie Prins and junior Hannah DeWeerd both homered in the loss. In game two, Calvin grabbed a 5-2 lead on a three-run double by DeWeerd in the fifth and then held a 6-4 lead in the sixth. Hope rallied for five runs in the bottom of the sixth however to pull away for the win. Calvin is back in action on Saturday when it hosts Trine at 1 p.m. in a conference doubleheader.
