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The Pipers play their home games at Midway Stadium, not far from campus. It’s an outdoor stadium so the team usually does not start playing at home until the weather allows it. Last Thursday, the Pipers travelled to the inviting confines to the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome were the weather is always 72 degrees Farenheit with zero chance of snow. The Pipers were taking on Viterbo and Finlandia in a double header.

The Pipers got a solid start from junior pitcher Brian Martin but lost the matchup 9-5, as they couldn’t keep up with timely hitting of Viterbo’s offensive production. Martin went five innings, giving up seven hits and five runs before being pulled in favor of junior Andrew Seymour. Seymour only lasted an inning but still managed to give away four runs.

A bright spot in the loss was junior Andrew Bennett’s first home run of the year. The All-MIAC shortstop is expected to have a huge season for the Pipers. For the day, Bennett was 5 of 9 at the plate and hit two homeruns, a encouraging sign that the shortstop can be relied upon right out of the gate.
It’s been said that good pitching beats good hitting and that’s the way you win games. It certainly worked for the Pipers against Finlandia. Senior starting pitcher Kyle Foster lasted five innings and only allowed one run off five hits. He was undeniably aided by the Pipers run support though. The Pipers had six players who had a multiple-hit game.
Bennett ended the game three of four with two runs. Junior Josh Roiger added some fire power too, chipping in three hits and two RBIs.

The Pipers won the game 14-1, quite the contrast from their first performance in the doubleheader. The Pipers next play Mar. 8 against Mount Mercy in a non-conference contest. The first pitch is at 3:45 p.m. at HHH Metrodome.