Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Coaches will tell you that little things can often add up to big results. Such was the case Tuesday for the Hamline softball team, who stretched their winning streak to nine games in a row and maintained their first place position in the MIAC with a pair of taut victories over Macalester Tuesday at Meredith Field. The Pipers bunched all their runs in the first inning and held off the Scots for a 4-3 win in the opener. In the second game, they scored twice in the fifth inning to break a 2-all tie -- despite the fact that only one ball left the infield -- and went on to a 5-2 win. 

Amanda Orrell had five hits, scored three runs and knocked in a pair to lead the offense as Hamline improved to 20-6 overall and 13-1 in conference play. 

The Scots, who lead the MIAC in home runs, made an immediate impression on HU pitcher Sarah DeMars (pictured) when Lisa Semro homered in the top of the first inning. The sophomore took care of the rest of the inning and her teammates punched together four runs in the bottom of the first for a 4-l lead. With runners on first and third and nobody out, Orrell singled home a run. Casey Anderson singled to load the bases and a run came home on a throwing error by the right fielder. With one out, Jenna Dushaw singled home a third run and fourth crossed the plate on a wild pitch.

As it turned out, that was the end of the HU offense. DeMars was nicked for solo runs in the second third but shut the door on just two hits and no walks in the final four innings to earn her eighth wins of the season against just three losses. 

It was a similar script in Game 2. The Scots again struck first, combining four singles for a run off Anderson. Dushaw's two RBI single in the bottom of the inning put HU ahead but Macalester came right back to tie the game in the top of the second. As DeMars did in the first game, Anderson stiffened and allowed just two hits and no walks after that. The Pipers turned a nifty double play when Elaina Hammann made a fine catch in foul territory and threw to second to nail an errant runner. HU made no errors in the field and kept the Scots off the bases. 

Orrell started the winning rally in the fifth with a single to right. A walk and a ground out placed at second and third, Dushaw then grounded to second base but the throw home was too late to nail Orrell. Alli Ruter then dropped a perfect squeeze bunt down for a second run. In the sixth, Mary-Claire Couillard singled and Orrell tripled her home to finish the scoring. The Pipers maintained their two game edge on Bethel, a double winner over Concordia. 

HU hosts St. Benedict (5-6, 16-13) Thursday at Meredith Field. The doubleheader begins at 3:30 p.m.