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The Pipers got into the swing of things right away at the invitational, playing a double header against Middle Lutheran. The Pipers lost the first game 2-8 and just barely got by in the second game, winning 10-9. Senior Anders Kronberg, got the win after pitching 6.2 innings. The right-hander had struck-out seven batters from Middle Lutheran and walked three. Sophomore Josh Roiger’s got his first save of the season in the win.

The Pipers pitching staff had a very solid performance. On March 20, the Pipers pitching followed up that performance by allowing Williams College to score 14 runs in a crushing 16-4 loss. Hamline Junior Kyle Foster, fresh off the basketball season, absorbed the loss against Williams, after going four innings and allowing six runs. First-year Dom Chenois relieved him and gave up another five runs. After Chenois, sophomore Charlie Paulson was called upon to stop the bleeding but he gave five more runs himself.

The game started out good for the Pipers, though. They scored three runs in the first two innings of play off Williams starter Mike Disner. Williams’ relief corps were just too much for Hamline hitters on this day. This spring break loss was a bitter part of spring break for the Pipers. It’s the equivalent getting sunburned at the beginning of vacation or spending all your money on lousy souvenirs. The Pipers’ vacation wasn’t ruined though; they bounced back in impressive fashion.

The next day the Pipers took the field against North Central (Illinois). The players endured twelve innings of non-conference baseball in the Arizona humidity. The result was an 8-7 Hamline victory. In relief of senior Chris Parent, Roiger came away with the win. He pitched four innings, gave up no runs, and had four strikeouts to close out the game. Parent pitched admirably too, going six innings and striking out five. Justin Rezzuto came in for North Central in the third as a reliever. He went on to pitch 9 innings, allowing one run to score. He struck out nine in a performance worthy of mention.

The bottom of the twelfth inning of this game was quite the nail biter. Roiger tripled off Rezzuto. Rezutto responded by walking the next two batters to load the bases. North Central was trying to provide the best-case scenario for some force-outs. They got the fielder’s choice out on the next batter, advancing the runners. When Roiger’s went for home he was tagged out at the plate from an assist that came from the depths of center field. With the bases left loaded, the next foot to cross the plate was due to an RBI walk from Rezzuto. The game was over and the Pipers left with the win.

The Pipers played baseball each weekday over break. The next day, Hamline beat Augsburg 15-12 in a non-conference game. Returning sophomore Andrew Bennett had a good game at the plate. The starting shortstop had five RBIs off two hits. Hamline pitching struck out eight Auggies and stranded 11 of them on the bases to hold off Augsburg.

Hamline took care of Buena Vista with a heavy hand the next day. The Pipers won both games of the double header, 7-0 and 7-6. Hamline wrapped up the invitational, splitting another double-header with Hartwick, 9-3 and 8-10. They finished spring break 2006 on a good note though, with a win 7-4 over Luther.

Hamline finished the invitational 7-3 and 10-6 overall. They were 6-14 in a 9th place season in the MIAC. The Pipers are hitting the ball well they have the fourth best batting average in the MIAC (.316). The pitching should start to come around after a slow start and a ballooned 6.50 ERA. With the work they accomplished in Phoenix, Hamline is setting the table for a solid season when MIAC play. The Pipers are hoping to improve from a Hamline has only won one MIAC title. That was in 1962. This year’s team should give ‘62 a run for their money but it will be difficult with nationally ranked St. Thomas in the MIAC.

Players like senior Owen Waller, Foster, and Bennett will be key to the young team’s success. Bennett and Waller are coming off All-MIAC Honorable-Mention seasons and Foster has been a pillar in the pitching staff since last season. Waller had a stellar 2005 where he batting .326. He is also coming off reconstructive knee surgery and has to make the transition from third to first base. The move is in efforts to limit abuse the knees take at the hot corner. He has performed well at first thus far in the season. Foster getting his baseball legs under him after the conclusion of a laborious basketball season.
Regardless, the Hamline men are playing solid baseball right now. The MIAC season begins with a double header at Augsburg on April 5. Hamline steps up to the plate at 2:30 p.m.