Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Just as he did during the winter for the men's basketball team, Zach Smith came through in the clutch for the Piper baseball team Saturdya afternoon. The junior lefthander threw seven solid innings as Hamline gained a 8-3 win and a split of a doubleheader at Gustavus Adolphus. HU dropped the first game, 16-4.

Smith scattered seven hits and allowed just two earned runs to gain the win, his second of the year against two losses. He got offensive support from Joe Setrum, Jacob Picht and Rick Tormey, who homered to help the Pipers improve to 10-14 overall, 3-3 in the MIAC. 

The Gusties jumped to a 2-0 first inning lead only to see Setrum start the comeback with a two RBI  double in the third inning. Picht put HU ahead for good with a solo four-bagger in the fifth. The Pipers continued to play long ball as Setrum hit a two shot in the seventh and Tormey added a solo blast in the eighth. 

The top three hitters in the HU order -- Picht, Collin Olstad and Setrum -- went 7-for 14 with six runs scored and five RBI. That was plenty for Smith and Sam Petrick, who went the final two innings in relief. 

In the opener, HU crept ahead 2-1 in the third inning on a sac fly by Setrum and a double steal executed by Olstad and Picht. GAC responded with five runs in the bottom of the inning and seven more in the fifth to put the game out of reach. Nick Kukurich started and took the loss. 

HU is back in action on Tuesday, April 11 against St. John's at CHS Field. The first pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 2:30 P.M.