TUCSON, ARIZONA--On Saturday, the Hamline University baseball team faced two challenging opponents at Kino Sports Park in Tucson, Arizona, falling to George Fox 11-1 (7 innings) in their first game and later succumbing to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 7-2.
The Pipers fall to 4-8. George Fox improves to 7-7, while Claremont-Mudd-Scripps moves to 12-3.
George Fox 11, Hamline 1 (7 innings) (Game One)
The Bruins opened the scoring in the third inning with a run, capitalizing on a single by Mason Eastman that advanced Gabe DeBenedetto to third. Evan Balingit then executed a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing DeBenedetto to score, bringing the margin to 1-0 in favor of the Bruins. The Pipers were unable to respond in their half of the inning, with three consecutive strikeouts.
The fifth inning saw a surge from George Fox, who scored five runs on four hits, including a two-RBI double by Evan Balingit and an RBI double by Carson Coulter, widening the gap to 6-0. Hamline responded in the bottom of the inning when
Ryan Burley led off with a single and later scored on a single by
Jacob Barmore, putting Hamline on the board at 6-1.
George Fox extended their lead significantly in the seventh inning with another five-run burst, highlighted by a triple from Noah Takayama that brought in two runs. This pushed the Bruins' lead to 11-1. In the bottom of the frame, the Pipers managed to load the bases but could not convert the opportunity into runs, leaving three runners stranded. The game concluded with George Fox securing the 11-1 win, finishing with 11 runs on 11 hits, while Hamline recorded one run on four hits.
Ryan Burley led the Pipers with a standout performance, recording a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate with one run scored, including one walk.
Jacob Barmore contributed with a hit and an RBI, reaching base twice thanks to a hit-by-pitch. On the mound, Hans Christensen pitched five innings, striking out four batters while allowing six earned runs on seven hits.
Carter Hoff had a challenging appearance, giving up five earned runs on two hits and two hit batters in just one-third of an inning pitched.
Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 7, Hamline 2 (Game Two)
The Athenas took an early lead in the first inning. Carter Bennett scored following a double by Dillon Martin, giving the Athenas a 1-0 advantage. The Pipers responded in the second inning when
Caden Erickson scored after a sequence of strategic plays, including a hit-by-pitch scenario that loaded the bases, evening the score at 1-1.
In the fourth inning, the Athenas added two more runs, capitalizing on a pair of wild pitches that advanced baserunners, followed by a productive groundout and a single from Carter Bennett that extended the score to 3-1. Hamline managed to add another run in the fifth inning when
Grant Peltier was hit by a pitch and later scored on a sacrifice fly by
Owen Giesen, narrowing the gap to 3-2.
The sixth inning witnessed the Athenas pulling away with a significant offensive burst, scoring four runs, featuring a triple by Blaise Heher and a two-RBI double from Andrew Mazzone, increasing their lead to 7-2. Hamline's batters were unable to mount a comeback in the remaining innings, as the Athenas' pitchers held them scoreless to secure the victory.
Grant Peltier stood out for Hamline, contributing one run and one hit, while also getting on base twice via hit by pitch.
Caden Erickson showed efficiency, managing to score one run and secure a hit. On the mound,
Parker Leipzig pitched 3 2/3 innings, striking out four batters but allowing three earned runs on five hits.
Cameron Hickox pitched two innings across two appearances, facing 12 batters and giving up four earned runs.
Dalton Maxwell demonstrated control in his relief appearance, pitching 2 1/3 innings without allowing any runs, striking out three.
The standout performers for the Athenas included Carter Bennett, who had an impressive performance with three hits, including a triple, and two RBIs. Andrew Mazzone also made a significant impact with two hits, one double, and two RBIs. Blaise Heher recorded three hits with a double and a triple and scored two runs. On the mound, Hamilton Finefrock pitched four innings across two appearances, allowing only one hit, while earning a win with two strikeouts.
The Pipers will face Northern State tomorrow, Sunday, March 16 in Tucson, Arizona. Game time is set for 9 a.m. (PT).
