SAINT PAUL, MINN.--The Hamline University baseball team (5-21) faced off against Saint Mary's (Minn.) (15-12) in two games at CHS Field over on Saturday, falling both contests 6-4 and 11-4.

The Pipers fall to 5-21, 0-8 MIAC, while the Cardinals improve to 15-12, 6-4 MIAC.

Saint Mary's (Minn.) 6, Hamline 4 (Game One)

The game was competitive, starting with both teams scoring in the first inning. The Cardinals took an early lead thanks to Ryan Csida's double, allowing Brinton Anderson to score. Hamline quickly responded with Ryan Burley scoring on Tyler Johnson's RBI single, tying the game at 1-1 after the first inning.

The Pipers took control in the second inning, scoring three runs with Grant Peltier leading off with a single. A series of hits and a walk led to key RBI contributions from Alexander Hokenson and Caden Erickson, giving the Pipers a 4-1 lead. However, Saint Mary's narrowed the gap in the third inning with a sacrifice fly from Anderson, making it 4-2. The Cardinals added another run in the sixth inning, bringing the score to 4-3, but Hamline was unable to extend their lead in the following innings.

In the eighth inning, Saint Mary's seized the momentum, scoring twice on Gavan Schulte's double to take a 6-4 lead. Despite a hit-by-pitch putting Peltier on base, Hamline could not capitalize in the bottom of the eighth, concluding the game with the Cardinals securing the 6-4 victory.

For Hamline, Erickson stood out with two RBIs, while Johnson contributed two hits and one RBI. Hokenson scored one run and recorded two hits with one RBI. Ethan Smith excelled defensively, recording four assists. Parker Leipzig pitched four innings, allowing three earned runs with two strikeouts. Dalton Maxwell and Carter Hoff provided relief, allowing a combined four hits and three earned runs.

Saint Mary's (Minn.) 11, Hamline 4 (Game Two)

Saint Mary's opened the game by scoring in the first inning on a double by Stephen Golden. Hamline responded in the bottom of the second with Jack Rheineck scoring on a sacrifice fly by Hokenson, but the Cardinals had already added three more runs, taking a 4-1 lead.

The third inning was pivotal for Saint Mary's as they extended their lead with five runs, including a two-RBI double from Ryan Csida, bringing the score to 9-1. Although the Pipers' defense held strong in the fourth and fifth innings, they struggled offensively. Saint Mary's added an unearned run in the sixth, making it 10-1.

Hamline finally rallied in the seventh inning, with Cade Fladmark scoring on a single by Grant Peltier, and Finn Melchior contributing a two-RBI double to close the gap to 11-4. However, it was not enough to overcome the Cardinals, who secured the win.

Kyle Vanek had a standout performance for the Pipers, achieving a perfect on-base percentage with two hits and two stolen bases. Melchior added two RBIs with his critical double. Hokenson showcased his defensive skills as a catcher, tallying four assists.

On the mound, Bentley Casey started for Hamline, giving up four runs on six hits over two innings. Cameron Hickox allowed three runs in a brief appearance, followed by Sebastian Teague who pitched 2 2/3 innings, surrendering two runs. Troy Spellman and Dryden Seeley closed out the game, allowing a combined two runs.

The Cardinals were led by Stephen Golden, who recorded four hits including two doubles and three RBIs, along with Csida's two doubles and two RBIs. Eric Stomberg pitched six innings for Saint Mary's, allowing just one earned run on four hits while striking out three batters, contributing to the team's strong performance.

The Pipers will travel to Gustavus (DH) on Tuesday, April 15 for a 2:30 p.m. start.