OMAHA, NEB.—The Hamline University baseball team opened their 2022 season with a neutral-site bout against Buena Vista in Omaha, Nebraska on Saturday afternoon. A five-run fifth inning, followed by a four-run seventh frame helped propel the Beavers to a 12-7 decision over the Pipers.

The Pipers kick off the season with an 0-1 record, while Buena Vista picks up a 1-0 start to the campaign.

Buena Vista 12, Hamline 7

Tyler Johnson highlighted the Pipers over the early stages of the game. He scored the season's first run after he led off the second inning with a walk, and circled the bases off Avery Liebren's single that made the score 1-0. Johnson did more damage with a two-run home run in the third inning that also scored Colin Schuetz, who doubled, to widen Hamline's lead to 3-0.

The fourth inning resulted in one Piper run as Braeden Bourne led off with a double, and scored off Max Gerstner's single to make the score 4-0.

Buena Vista responded with a five-run fifth inning, which put them in the driver's seat at 5-4. The sixth inning saw Hamline capitalize on a pair of Buena Vista errors, which turned into three runs courtesy of Colton Peters, Liebren and Bourne that gave them a 7-5 lead.

That lead was short-lived as Buena Vista came back with a four-run seventh inning, and a three-run eighth to lock a 12-7 victory.

Gerstner contributed a 2-for-4 day at the plate with two RBI and one walk for Hamline. Johnson knocked in a pair of runs, and scored two runs on a 1-for-3 outing.

The Pipers utilized nine different pitchers in the contest, who combined for eight strikeouts. Buena Vista's Dalton Glenn and Brayden Pollen combined to give up seven runs on eight hits over nine innings of work.

The Pipers will face Buena Vista (DH) in Omaha, Nebraska tomorrow, Sunday, February 20 at 12 p.m.