SAINT PAUL, MINN.—The Hamline University softball team continued their three-game homestand with a Sunday-afternoon affair against Carleton (DH) at Meredith Field. A hot start propelled the Pipers to an 8-5 victory in game one, before the Knights returned the favor with a 9-3 edge in game two.
The split sends Hamline's record to 12-8, 3-4 MIAC, while Carleton exits the day with a 15-6, 3-3 MIAC mark.
Hamline 8, Carleton 5
Kira Krueger went the distance in the pitching win for Hamline, as she gave up eight hits and five runs (four earned). Krueger helped herself off the bat with a first-inning RBI-single that scored Jenna Rubbelke to make the score 1-0. Amber Peterson, who previously laid down a bunt single, came home on Gabby Cook's fielder's choice to make things 2-0 before Krueger came home on Savannah Johnson's groundout to widen the margin to 3-0.
The second inning saw Megan Rubbelke belt her third home run of the season, of the three-run variety to push the score to 6-0, which stagnated through the fifth inning.
The Knights scored their first three runs of the game in the sixth inning to cut the score in half at 6-3. Megan Rubbelke's RBI-groundout, and Krueger's RBI-single extended Hamline's lead to 8-3 heading into the final frame, where Carleton notched a pair of runs that made things 8-5.
Amber Peterson went 4-for-4 with three runs scored for Hamline, while Jenna Rubbelke notched a 3-for-4 outing with three runs. Kira Krueger came through with a 2-for-3 day that included a pair of RBI. Megan Rubbelke's 1-for-4 day included four RBI.
Carleton 9, Hamline 3
The Knights' 3-0 first-inning lead went by the wayside as Krueger's bases loaded walk in the bottom half of the inning cut Hamline's deficit to 3-1. Amber Peterson, who previously laid down a bunt single, scored from third base when Gabby Cook grounded into a double play to get Hamline within one run at 3-2.
The second inning resulted in a 3-3 score courtesy of Lydia Lecher, who singled and later scored off Jenna Rubbelke's RBI-single.
That proved to be all of Hamline's offense as Carleton closed the game with six unanswered runs en route to a 9-3 victory.
Jenna Rubbelke went 3-for-4 at the plate, while Megan Rubbelke tallied a 2-for-3 outing for Hamline.
Dana Rosbacka pitched the opening two-plus innings for the Pipers, before Theresa Klinnert threw the final five innings. They combined to give up nine runs and 14 hits.
The Pipers will return to action tomorrow, Monday, April 11 at Meredith Field against Saint Mary's (Minn.) (DH) at 3:30 p.m.
