It's been a while -- 22 days to be precise -- since the Hamline baseball team last got to swing bats against enemy pitching. So you can hardly blame them for thinking today's 2:30 p.m. doubleheader at Gustavus Adolphus is the equivalent of Opening Day for head coach Jim Weyandt and his charges. 

Rarely, however, has a team been more excited to take a 90-minute bus ride. 

When we last saw the Pipers, they had dropped a close, tough doubleheader at sunny but chilly Bethel. Although Hamline's 13 overall wins is the fourth best of any MIAC school this spring, they start play today with an 0-2 conference slate. 

But that number may change in a hurry. 

After waiting 22 days to play, HU now dives headfirst into a series of games -- with nine games and the completion of a suspended game on their agenda in the next five days.

First up: the Gusties, who are 5-12 overall but 2-0 in MIAC games.

Hamline will get their first look at Midway Stadium on Saturday, April 27 when they host St. John's in a 1:30 p.m. doubleheader. On Sunday, April 28, it's Macalester who will make the short drive up Snelling Ave. for a pair of games at Midway starting at 1:00 p.m.

The next day -- Monday, April 29 -- the Pipers will be the team on the move- going to Northwestern in Roseville to finish a game that was suspended due to time restrictions at the Metrodome on February 21. The Pipers trail the Eagles, 3-2, and will be coming to bat in the top of the seventh. After that game ends, the teams will play a single nine-inning game. The action is slated to begin in Roseville at 3:30 p.m.

The skein ends the next afternoon, Tuesday, April 30, with a 2:30 p.m. conference double dip at St. Mary's.

That's a lot of baseball in a short time frame. But when you have been waiting 22 days to get back outside, it is unlikely you'll hear many complaints.

Time to play ball.