ST. PETER, Minn. - After needing to reschedule twice, the Hamline softball team (5-17, 2-14 MIAC) was finally able to take on Gustavus (12-16, 7-13 MIAC), falling twice in St. Peter by scores of 2-1 and 8-0. The Pipers had trouble getting their bats going, being outhit 21-6 in the doubleheader, which proved to be the difference.
 
GAME 1: GUSTAVUS 2, HAMLINE 1
In game one, the Hamline defense stranded nine Gustavus runners to keep the game close, but were unable to score in the final six innings to fall 2-1. Four different Pipers had a hit in the game, as sophomore Gabby Cook and senior Alex Molloy each had a double, and junior Theresa Klinnert and first year Alison Kimball each singled.
 
The Pipers got their offense going right away in the first inning with junior Amber Peterson walking and then scoring when Cook doubled to right center. Klinnert then singled to move Cook to third, but they were unable to score again in the inning, taking a 1-0 lead.
 
Gustavus tied the game in the second, getting one unearned run across on a bunt single. They would then take over the lead in the third when they loaded the bases with no outs. One run would score on a sacrifice fly, but the Pipers would get out of the inning with only one run scoring, keeping the game in reach at 2-1.
 
Hamline had a baserunner on in both the fifth and the sixth innings, and two runners on in the seventh, but were not able to score them, leaving the final at 2-1.
 
Junior Dana Rosbacka pitched the first 4.2 innings, giving up 10 hits but only one earned run. Klinnert came in to pitch the final 1.1 innings, allowing no hits and no runs.
 
GAME 2: GUSTAVUS 8, HAMLINE 0
The second game belonged to the Gusties, as they had 11 hits compared to HU's two. Molloy and senior April Jacobs had the two hits for Hamline, as Jacobs doubled down the left field line in the second and Molloy singled in the fourth.
 
The Pipers had their best chance to score in the top of the fourth inning, when Molloy singled, Jacobs walked, and first year Kiana Island got hit by a pitch to load the bases with only one out. Gustavus worked out of it though, retiring the next two batters in order to stop the rally.
 
Gustavus scored in each of their four opportunities. They used three hits to score two runs in the first inning and added three more runs in the second, on two hits, two walks, and an HU error. Two RBI-singles in the third made it 7-0 and they would get the last run they needed to end the game early in the bottom of the fourth as they would retire the Pipers 1-2-3 in the fifth to secure the win.
 
Klinnert pitched the first 2.1 innings, giving up six earned runs on eight hits and four walks. Rosbacka pitched the final 1.2 innings, giving up one run on three hits.
 
Hamline has three more doubleheaders on their schedule for the 2021 season. They will take on Macalester and St. Catherine this weekend before finishing the year against St. Olaf on Monday, May 3. All three contest dates are set to be played at Meredith Field.