Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 It came down to the last inning but Hamline came through for a 5-2 win at Gustavus Adolphus to finish in second place in the MIAC for the first time in the 25 year history of the program. Alli Ruter's three-RBI homer in the top of the seventh snapped a 2-all tie and lifted HU to the win and a 17-5 MIAC record. HU finished one game behind league leader Bethel. Consequently, the Royals will serve as the host site May 1-3 for the double elimination tournament. 

Ironically, Hamline will open against the third place Gusties (26-14, 16-6) on May 1 at 5:00 p.m. (The complete playoff schedule can be found here.)

Sarah DeMars threw a CG four-hitter to earn the important win. The sophomore righty improved to 12-7 overall with a three strikeout performance. 

HU had lost the opener of the twinbill, 7-0. Head coach Jim Rubbelke shuffled his batting order for the second game, moving soph 2B Mary-Clare Couillard to the leadoff spot with his daughter, junior SS Jamie, batting second. 

The more worked wonders in the fourth when Rubbelke walked, stole second and rode home on Amanda Orrell's RBI double off Gustie ace Hannah Heacox. Two innings later, Couillard singled and Rubbelke doubled her to third. Chelsea Koehn lifted a sacrifice fly to left that scored Couillard to make it 2-0. 

The Gusties rallied in the last of the sixth for a pair to tie the game, setting the stage for Ruter's dramatics. Jenna Dushaw led off the inning with an infield single. With one out, Sammi Mau singled to left, moving Dushaw to second. Kelsey McWilliams was inserted as a pinch-runner for Mau. Both of them danced as Ruter unloaded her second homer of the season to break the tie and send the Pipers on their way. DeMars shook off a one out single to finish off the Gusties and lift the Pipers' overall record to 25-11.

HU will have one more test prior to the MIAC tournament. They will play a non-conference DH at UW-Stout on Tuesday, April 28. The twinbill starts at 4:00 p.m.