DUNDAS, Minn. - The Hamline softball team (2-0) opened the 2020 season with a sweep of Bethany Lutheran (2-6), winning game one 9-2 and game two 2-0.
 
Sophomore Anna O'Connor was a constant on the base paths for the Pipers, getting on base five out of her seven at-bats to start the year with a blazing .714 on-base percentage. Senior Kira Krueger and junior Riley Husom also had solid days at the plate, recording three hits and two RBIs each.
 
GAME 1: HAMLINE 9, BETHANY LUTHERAN 2
The Pipers racked up 12 hits in their first game of the doubleheader, being led by Husom who went 3-3 with a walk and an RBI. Krueger and junior Alex Molloy also had multi-hit games with two apiece.
 
The Vikings scored first in the game, as they had back-to-back two-out hits to get a run across. HU answered in the bottom of the inning, scoring two runs of their own. Husom walked to start the inning, and advanced to third on a single from Molloy and scored after a throw went out of play. Molloy was later driven in by a single to right from sophomore Theresa Klinnert.
 
The Pipers unloaded for five runs in the third inning, extending their lead to 7-1. Husom drove in the first run of the inning when she singled through the right side. Junior Megan Rubbelke scored next when Molloy singled to left field. Senior Ramsey Hare then came up with a double down the right field line that scored both first year Gabby Cook and Husom. Molloy rounded out the scoring after crossing the plate on a wild pitch.
 
In the fourth, Bethany Lutheran scored one on a ground-rule double, but Molloy struck out the final two batters of the inning, stranding two on base. A home run to left center from Krueger in the bottom of the fourth, put HU up 9-2, which would end up being the final.
 
Molloy earned the complete-game win, giving up six hits in her seven innings of work while striking out four.
 
GAME 2: HAMLINE 2, BETHANY LUTHERAN 0
Game two was a different type of game, as the Pipers had only five hits in the contest. However, Krueger and Klinnert scattered three hits and a walk to keep the Vikings off the board, helping Hamline earn the 2-0 win.
 
Rubbelke and Husom each drove in a run for HU, doing so in the first inning. O'Connor opened the game with a walk and went first to home on a triple from Rubbelke. Husom then drove in Rubbelke on a groundout to second base.
 
This would be all the Pipers would need as the Hamline pitching staff and defense took care of the rest. Krueger pitched the first four innings, giving up three hits, but allowing none to score. Klinnert closed out the final three innings, not allowing a hit in the outing to earn a save.
 
The Pipers will head back to the Dundas dome on Saturday, February 29 for a doubleheader with UW-Stevens Points at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Live stats will be available on the schedule page.