Softball 4/2/05 -- Hamline 10-10, Augsburg 5-2 (2nd game 5 inn.)

GAME 1 BOXSCORE
GAME 2 BOXSCORE

STORY FROM HAMLINE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

ST. PAUL, Minn. (4/2/05) -- The Hamline University fastpitch softball team pounded out 22 hits as the Pipers swept visiting Augsburg College 10-5 and 10-2 in both teams' Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opener on Saturday afternoon at Hamline's Helen Meredith Field.

After falling behind 3-0 in the top half of the first, the Pipers (4-8, 2-0 in the MIAC) responded with two runs in the bottom half of the inning. Senior second baseman Amanda Gage started the scoring with an RBI double. She would later score on a throwing error by pitcher Shelley Harris (Jr., Minneapolis, Minn./Southwest HS) (2-6).

Hamline took the lead in the fourth inning, plating three runs. Pinch hitter Nicole McCown tied the game with a run scoring single. Young added a suicide squeeze and left-fielder Holly Wiborg had a RBI single in the inning to give Hamline a 5-3 lead.

The two team traded runs in the fifth, before Augsburg scored a single run in the sixth to make it 6-5. With two out, two base hits and a walk loaded the bases for Trista Gundersen (So., Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial HS), who lined a single to center. The hit scored Kati Tweeten (So., Spring Grove, Minn.), but Young came up throwing in center field to cut down Melynda Kleewein (Sr., Anchorage, Alaska/Dimond HS) at the plate to end the inning.

Hamline put the game away with four runs in the sixth inning. Sara Mickelson, Seal, Joan Sheedy and Emily Gross each had run-scoring base hits for the Pipers.

Augsburg (3-10, 0-2) scored three times in the first off Hamline starter Seal (2-5). Leadoff singles by Jolene Ross (Fr., Arden Hills, Minn./Mounds View HS) and Kleewein allowed Tweeten to hit a sacrifice fly. Two batter later, Ashley Westerman (Fr., Bemidji, Minn.) added a run scoring single. Another run scored when the relay throw got away from catcher Gross.

Gross led the Pipers, going 3-for-3 at the plate. Gage and Sheedy each added two hits. Kleewein went 3-for-4 for Augsburg.

Seal gave up three earned runs on 10 hits. She walked four and struck out four. Harris allowed nine earned runs on 12 hits.

In game two, the Pipers jumped in the Auggies early, scoring a pair of runs in both the first and third innings. Hamline took the lead in the first after a successful double steal scored Gage. Gross later added an RBI groundout.

The lead was 4-0 after an RBI single by Gross and run-scoring triple by Mickelson.

Augsburg cut the lead to 4-2 in the fourth, but the Pipers ended the game plating six runs in the fifth. Young keyed the inning with a two-run, bases loaded double.

Gross was 2-for-3 with three RBI for Hamline. Mickelson also was 2-for-3. Eight Hamline starters had at least one base hit in the contest.

Seal pitched five solid innings, allowing two earned runs on two hits. She struck out two.

Tweeten gave up nine earned runs for Augsburg over 4 2/3 innings.

Hamline will play at Martin Luther on Monday (4/4). The doubleheader is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Augsburg hosts Macalester in an MIAC doubleheader on Wednesday (4/6) at 5 p.m. at Edor Nelson Field.