The Hamline softball team dug deep and came up with several "extras" in their home opening doubleheader against St. Thomas Friday. HU banged out six extra base hits and rode a solid pitching effort from Alex Molloy for a 5-1 win in the first game of the pair at Meredith Field. Megan Rubbelke added a pair of extra base blows in the nightcap but the Tommies earned a split with an 8-5 decision. 

The Pipers started fast in Game 1. Rubbelke, Riley Husom and Delaney Kohler drilled consecutive doubles in the first inning for a quick 2-0 lead. St. Thomas scored an unearned run in the fifth but Anna O'Connor got it back with a RBI double in the bottom of the inning. In the sixth, Molloy's first home run of the season -- a two run shot -- put the game out of reach.

The sophomore did the rest on the mound, holding UST to six hits with three walks and a pair of strikeouts. The complete game effort upped her won-loss mark to 7-5 and lowered her season ERA to 1.79. 

The bats were booming on both sides in Game 2. UST scored solo runs in each of the first five innings and added three in the sixth. The Pipers responded gamely with a dozen hits. Rubbelke had three of those hits, driving in three runs with a double and her third home run of the year. Husom added a pair of hits and every starter in the lineup had at least one. 

Hamline is now 9-12 overall, 2-3 in MIAC play. They continue a busy weekend with a doubleheader Saturday at St. Mary's and a return to Meredith Sunday against St. Benedict. Both twinbills start at 1:00 p.m.