TOPEKA, KAN.—The 2024 season opener pitted the Hamline University baseball team against Buena Vista for a neutral-site, three-game series in Topeka, Kansas on February 17-18. Friday's game resulted in a 26-12 loss for the Pipers. A 6-0 Beavers lead was erased, and Hamline came from behind to notch an 8-7 win on Saturday. The final game of the series resulted in a 15-3 win for the Beavers on Saturday.

Hamline begins the season 1-2, while Buena Vista starts their campaign with a 2-1 record.

Buena Vista finished the 2023 season at No. 3 in the NCAA Regional Rankings.

Buena Vista 26, Hamline 12 (GAME ONE)

An 8-7 advantage was had by Hamline after six complete innings. An 18-run seventh inning gave the Beavers more than enough cushion in a 26-12 victory over the Pipers.

All of Hamline's starting position players got a hit in the contest. 

The Pipers offense pounded 17 hits, led by Tyler Johnson's 4-of-6 outing that came with a double, three runs scored, and two RBI. A 3-of-6 game was had by Braeden Bourne, while Max Gerstner's double, two runs scored, and two RBI highlighted his 2-of-6 day at the plate. Mac Enlow and Caden Erickson each had a double and two RBI. 

Transfer Jack Rheineck went 2-of-4 with one run scored in his Pipers debut at third base.

Conor Mestemacher, Dalton Maxwell, Ethan Smith, and Ben McCrady all saw pitching time for Hamline. 

The Beavers got a hit from all starting position players.

Hamline 8, Buena Vista 7 (GAME TWO)

The Pipers erased a 6-0 deficit that took place after six and a half innings. 

The comeback began with Tyler Johnson's two-run home run in the bottom of six that narrowed Buena Vista's lead to 6-2. The seventh frame started with one-out damage from Jack Rheineck's single Nick Zezulka's walk, and Alex Ralph's single that loaded the bases. They all came home off Max Gerstner's double that tied the game at 6-6. 

The eighth inning resulted in Hamline's game-winning run. Before that happened, Bourne singled, stole second, and scored off Rheineck's double that gave Hamline a 7-6 lead. Rheineck's game-winning run came off Zezulka's single that pushed the Pipers' lead to 8-6. 

The Beavers scored a two-out run that narrowed Hamline's lead to 8-7 before the final out was recorded.

Johnson's 1-of-4 outing included his home run, while Rhieneck's 3-of-4 performance included a double. Gerstner drove in three runs off his double, which made up his 1-of-4 performance. 

Parker Leipzig, Hans Christensen V, Luke Schmaedeke, and Finn Melchior pitched for Hamline.

Buena Vista 15, Hamline 3 (GAME THREE)

Hamline spoiled the 15-0 shutout with three seventh-inning runs, which spoiled a no-hit bid from the Beavers. Mac Enlow, and Bourne each had an RBI double before Kyle Vanek closed the game's scoring with a one-run triple that narrowed the score to 15-3. Tyler Johnson, Enlow, and Bourne each scored on those plays.

Hans Christensen V, Xavier Bembnister, Josh Cary, and Cole Vandenheuvel each saw time on the pitching mound for Hamline. 

The Pipers will return to Topeka, Kansas for a three-game series against Martin Luther on Friday, February 23 at 1 p.m. (DH), followed by single game on Saturday, February 24 at 1 p.m.