GAME ONE

TOPEKA, Kan. — Hamline clinched a narrow victory over Martin Luther College with a 6-5 final score on Friday in a neutral-site contest. 

Hamline secured the win with a total of eight hits, including a home run and a triple, while also capitalizing on three walks and three stolen bases.

Ryan Burley initiated Hamline's offensive performance with a triple in the first inning, and Maddox Van Slooten's sacrifice fly brought Burley home, leveling the score at 1-1 after Martin Luther had opened with a run. Score: 1-1 after the first inning.

The third inning was pivotal for the Pipers. Kyle Vanek singled and stole second, setting the stage for Alexander Hokenson, who launched a three-run homer after Van Slooten walked. This drive put Hamline ahead, ending the inning with a 4-3 lead. Score: Hamline 4, Martin Luther 3 after the third inning.

In the sixth inning, Jack Rheineck hit a double and was replaced by pinch runner Owen Hodson, who scored on a sacrifice fly by Jacob Hasapopoulos. This run tied the game at 5-5. Score: 5-5 after the sixth inning.

Hamline secured the lead in the seventh inning. Owen Giesen walked and stole second, followed by Burley's single advancing Giesen to third. Van Slooten then singled, driving in Giesen for the go-ahead run. Score: Hamline 6, Martin Luther 5 after the seventh inning.

Hamline closed out the game with a 6-5 victory over Martin Luther.

Hokenson hit a home run and drove in three runs, contributing significantly to the team's offense. Burley scored two runs and added a triple to his performance at the plate. Van Slooten collected two RBIs and recorded a hit while also drawing a walk. Ben McCrady earned a win with two strikeouts and no earned runs allowed in one inning pitched.

Hans Christensen pitched 6 innings for the Pipers, allowing 10 hits and 5 runs while striking out 6 batters. He faced 28 batters, issuing just one walk, and maintained a WHIP of 1.83. McCrady took over for the final inning, earning the win with 2 strikeouts and allowing 1 hit over 4 batters faced, achieving a WHIP of 1.00. McCrady's performance in relief helped close out the game effectively for Hamline.

GAME TWO

Hamline (3-2) fell to Martin Luther (1-3) with a final score of 7-5 on Friday. Despite a late rally with five runs in the sixth and seventh innings, Hamline was unable to overcome an early deficit.

Martin Luther took an early lead in the first inning with a solo home run by Westendor and a two-run homer from Winghart after a triple by Anderson, resulting in a 3-0 advantage. Hamline's Ryan Burley doubled and advanced to third on a balk but was left stranded as the inning ended with Martin Luther leading 3-0.

In the third inning, Martin Luther extended its lead. Winghart walked and eventually scored on a single by Herbst. Walta and Herbst also crossed the plate, widening the gap to 6-0 by the end of the inning.

Hamline made a push in the sixth inning. Bentley Casey scored on a wild pitch, Troy Spellman followed suit on another wild pitch, and Burley scored on a single by Jack Rheineck. This offensive burst brought Hamline closer, ending the inning down 7-3.

In the seventh inning, Hamline continued to rally. Stevie Schmitt scored on a sacrifice fly by Burley, and Casey scored on an RBI single by Maddox Van Slooten, narrowing the deficit to 7-5. However, the comeback fell short as the game concluded with Martin Luther securing a 7-5 victory.

Ryan Burley contributed significantly with one hit, one RBI, and a double, while also stealing a base. Bentley Casey reached base multiple times, scoring two runs and drawing a walk. Jack Rheineck added two hits and an RBI, showcasing his hitting ability. Ben McCrady pitched four innings, allowing just one hit and recording three strikeouts, maintaining a WHIP of 0.50.

Hamline's pitching lineup was led by Teagan Yotter, who pitched 2 innings, allowing 5 earned runs on 5 hits, including 2 home runs, with no strikeouts. Dryden Seeley contributed an inning of relief, giving up 1 earned run on 2 hits over 11 pitches. The standout performance came from Ben McCrady, who delivered 4 innings with only 1 earned run, 3 strikeouts, and limited Martin Luther to just 1 hit for a WHIP of 0.50.