ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Hamline softball team (6-20, 3-17 MIAC) dropped two games to Saint Catherine on Sunday, falling 9-1 in game one and 10-6 in game two. The Wildcat offense proved hard to stop, holding a 30-11 advantage in hits on the day.
 
Senior Megan Rubbelke and sophomore Gabby Cook led the Piper offense with three hits each.
 
GAME 1: ST. CATHERINE 9, HAMLINE 1 (5 INNINGS)
In game one, the Wildcats used a big third inning on their way to a run-rule victory. Neither team scored until the third inning, when SCU used four hits and two walks to get five runs across.
 
The Pipers answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning as first year Alison Kimball reached on a Wildcat error, was bunted over, and eventually scored on a single from Cook.
 
Three hits for St. Catherine in the fourth led to two more runs, as they extended their lead to 7-1. The Wildcats would plate two more in the fifth, pushing their lead to eight. This would allow them to win in five innings after retiring the Pipers in order in the bottom of the inning.
 
Junior Theresa Klinnert pitched all five innings for HU, taking the loss.
 
GAME 2: ST. CATHERINE 10, HAMLINE 6
The Piper bats came alive in the second game, as they tallied nine hits, but the Wildcats had an even stronger offensive presence, with 20 hits throughout the seven innings.
 
The Wildcats scored right away in the first in game two, using two singles and a sacrifice bunt to take a 1-0 lead. St. Catherine threatened again in the second, but pitcher Dana Rosbacka and the Piper defense stranded three runners to keep it a one-run game. SCU would break through again in the third inning, though, scoring three unearned runs to make it 4-0.
 
After St. Kate's scored another run in the fourth, it was HU's turn to rally. Rubbelke started the inning with a hard hit to the shortstop. This was followed by a two-run homer from Klinnert. First year Kiana Island then singled and Kimball reached base to keep things rolling. Senior Cora Stallcup then singled to score Island and Kimball scored on a passed ball, getting Hamline back in the game with the score at 5-4.
 
The Pipers had another good chance to score in the fifth when Cook singled and Rubbelke walked with zero outs. The Wildcats were able to work out of it, though, keeping their lead intact. St. Catherine would then come up with eight hits in the sixth to score five more runs to make it 10-4.
 
In the seventh, Cook doubled and Rubbelke tripled (scoring Cook) to make it 10-5. Rubbelke would score on a sacrifice fly from Klinnert, making it 10-6, but that was as close as HU would get, as SCU recorded the final out to secure the sweep.
 
Rosbacka pitched all seven innings for Hamline, with only seven of the 10 runs allowed being earned. She struck out four batters in the outing while walking none.
 
The Pipers will close out the 2021 season tomorrow, Monday, May 3, hosting St. Olaf to Meredith Field for a doubleheader starting at 3:30 p.m.