The College of Saint Benedict softball team found themselves in two close games Saturday afternoon against Hamline University. The Blazers (4-6 MIAC, 9-15 overall) took care of business in the opener with a 4-3 win, but the Pipers took game two 5-2.
In the opener, Hamline hit a two-run home run in the top of the third inning to take a 2-0 lead. Junior centerfielder Abby Richardson (Storm Lake, IA, St. Mary's) cut the lead in half when she hit a solo home run in the bottom of the third inning. The Pipers added another run in the top of the fourth inning to take a 3-1 advantage, but the Blazers answered with three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Sophomore Sierra Dooley (Spring Lake Park, MN, Spring Lake Park) started the rally with a single and moved to second base on an error by the right fielder. The next batter, junior Elle Borba (Ontario, CA, St. Lucy's Priory), knocked in Dooley with a single to right field. Two batters later, junior Carissa Hancock (Grand Rapids, MN, Grand Rapids) singled to left field to score sophomore pinch runner Amy Mueller. Senior Beth Hanson (Faribault, MN, Bethlehem Academy) also scored on the play as the ball was misplayed in left field. The Blazers held the Pipers scoreless for the final three innings to take the game 4-3.
Dooley and Richardson led the way for CSB at the plate. Dooley went 3-for-3 with a run scored, and Richardson was 2-for-3 with a home run. Sophomore pitcher Emma Alwin (Plymouth, MN, Wayzata) picked up her sixth win of the season by holding the Pipers to three runs while striking out three.
In the second game of the doubleheader, the Pipers and Blazers traded runs in the first inning. Senior Shannon Eveland (Maple Grove, MN, Maple Grove) doubled and scored on an RBI single off the bat of junior Alyssa Kubesh (Buffalo Lake, MN, Buffalo Lake-Hector). Hamline added two runs in the top of the second inning to take a 3-1 lead. CSB loaded the bases in the bottom the third inning but only managed to score one run when Hancock was hit by a pitch. The Pipers extended their lead in the top of the seventh inning with a two-run home run.
Kubesh led the way for CSB with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate with a run scored and an RBI. Borba suffered the loss by giving up two earned runs in three innings of work. Junior Laura Althoff (Jordan, MN, Jordan) pitched the final four innings and scattered two hits, gave up two earned runs, and struck out three.
CSB will travel to Carleton College in Northfield, Minn. on Tuesday, April 20 for a doubleheader starting at 4 p.m.
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
