SAINT PAUL, MINN.--The Hamline University baseball team faced Macalester in two contests at Nicholson Field on Saturday afternoon. The first game saw Hamline secure a 5-0 victory, while the second game ended with Macalester triumphing 9-4.

The Pipers move to 6-25, 1-11 MIAC, while the Scots end the day 8-19, 3-11 MIAC.

Hamline 5, Macaclester 0 (Game One)

Both teams began with a scoreless first inning, but Hamline took the lead in the second. Alexander Hokenson doubled to left field, followed by an RBI single from Jacob Barmore, bringing the score to 1-0. In the third inning, Caden Erickson was hit by a pitch and scored on a two-run homer by Finn Melchior, extending the lead to 3-0. The Pipers added two more runs in the fourth, with Hokenson and Erickson both contributing to a 5-0 advantage.

Despite opportunities for Macalester in the fifth and sixth innings, they were unable to score. The final inning went scoreless, securing Hamline's 5-0 victory. 

Caden Erickson led Hamline with two hits, one run, and one RBI. Finn Melchior contributed significantly with a home run and two RBIs. Alexander Hokenson excelled with three hits, including a double, and scored twice. Parker Leipzig pitched a complete game shutout, allowing four hits and striking out six.

For Macalester, Raymond McCaskey showcased speed with two stolen bases, and Niko Alexander achieved one hit and a walk. Isaiah Ramirez added a hit. Ben King pitched 3 1/3 innings for the Scots, striking out two. Nathan Gumagay made an impact with two hits in three at-bats.

Macalester 9, Hamline 4 (Game Two)

Macalester opened the scoring in the first inning, netting three runs with contributions from Ian Ramirez, Josh Planko, and Aram Dombalagi, aided by a fielding error. Hamline responded in the second, with Bentley Casey hitting a two-RBI double to cut the deficit to 3-2. By the fourth inning, Hokenson narrowed the score to 4-3 with a double and a subsequent run from Barmore's double. However, Macalester answered back, maintaining a slight edge.

In the sixth inning, Kyle Vanek scored on a sacrifice fly, bringing the score to 5-4. Unfortunately for the Pipers, Macalester extended their lead with a two-RBI single by Jake Murakami in the seventh and a two-run homer by Planko in the eighth, finalizing the score at 9-4.

Vanek had a standout performance for Hamline with two hits, including a double. Barmore contributed with a .750 OPS, one hit, a double, and an RBI, while Casey led with two RBIs. Dalton Maxwell pitched six innings, allowing three earned runs and striking out six, but took the loss.

Macalester was led offensively by Planko, who went 3-for-5 with three runs, two RBIs, and a home run. Dombalagi also made notable contributions with three hits. Ramirez finished with a hit and an RBI, while Murakami's pinch-hit performance added crucial runs.

The Pipers will host Bethel (DH) at CHS Field on Monday, April 21 at 2:30 p.m.