WEST ST. PAUL, Minn. - In their second outing of the season, the Hamline softball team (1-3) fell to UW-Stevens Point (8-2) in both games of the doubleheader on Friday at West St. Paul Dome. The Pointers won game one by a score of 10-1 and game two by a score of 6-1.
 
Offense was hard to come by for the Pipers between the two games, compiling only three hits in each game. Senior Megan Rubbelke had two of those six hits, which included crushing a ball over the left field fence for a home run in game one. The homer was Rubbelke's first this season, but seventh in her career.
 
Other HU players with hits on the day include sophomore Gabby Cook, senior April Jacobs, senior Riley Husom, and sophomore Nayeli Pallais-Yllescas.
 
GAME 1: UW-STEVENS POINT 10, HAMLINE 1
In the first game, UW-Stevens Point used seven hits, three HU errors, and three multiple-run innings to claim a five-inning victory.
 
The Pointers lead-off batter started the game with a walk, was moved over to second on a sac bunt, and scored on a single up the middle. UWSP would get two more runs in the inning, capitalizing on a Hamline error.
 
Rubbelke would get one of those runs back for the Pipers with her home run, and it would remain 3-1 until the fourth inning.
 
After a pair of 1-2-3 innings for pitcher Theresa Klinnert and the Piper defense, the Pointers broke through again in the fourth, using four hits and a walk to score four more runs to stretch their lead to six, at 7-1. They would add three more runs in the fifth to coast to the 10-1 win.
 
GAME 2: UW-STEVENS POINT 6, HAMLINE 1
UW-Stevens Point's offense stayed solid through game two, as they recorded 11 hits in the 6-1 decision. After holding the Pipers in the first inning, the Pointers scored on a double steal to take a quick lead.
 
However, the Pipers answered in the top of the third, as senior Cora Stallcup opened the inning with a walk. She advanced to second on a wild pitch and third on a groundout, putting herself in a good spot to score on a single from Husom to tie the game at one.
 
The Pointers broke the game open in the fourth, though, scoring four runs on five hits to make it 5-1. They would tack on an extra run in the sixth, but they wouldn't need it, as the Piper bats remained quiet, unable to string any hits together.
 
Junior Dana Rosbacka took the loss on the mound, going the full six innings, giving up 11 hits while striking out one.
 
 Hamline will have one final non-conference tune-up before entering MIAC play, taking on UW-Superior on Saturday, March 20. The Pipers will then look ahead to the conference season, opening on April 3 against Gustavus in St. Peter.