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The Pipers were ahead going into the final inning but the Auggies rallied for two runs to take the lead. An Augsburg one out triple was followed by a single to tie the game. The next Auggie batter advanced the runner on first to third with another one out single. A sacrifice pop fly scored the run that would give Augsburg the lead for good. Hamline was unable to muster anything more than two strikeouts in the final at bats.

The second game yielded much better results for Hamline. Senior Kyle Foster pitched a gem. The senior pitched a complete game fanning seven Auggies. Foster gave up two earned runs. The win improved Foster’s record to 4-2 on the year.

The teams were neck-and-neck for much of the game. Going into the final inning, the game was all tied up 3-3. With one out against the Pipers, Hamline had runners on first and second. With a double play potentially looming, first year Pat O’Laughlin stepped to the plate with the game on the line. O’Laughlin, a catcher, laced a single to left field to bring home sophomore second baseman Dan Kaczrowski, who was patiently waiting on third. The win improved the Pipers season record to 10-9 overall on the season.

O’Laughlin and Foster had standout performances in the Augsburg doubleheader and the MIAC offices took notice. The Piper battery was named MIAC Baseball Players of the Week on April 2. O’Laughlin was 4 of 7 in the two games. The Eau Claire native totaled two doubles and three RBIs, including the game winning RBI in game two. Foster’s complete game five-hitter, three walk performance netted him the honor. Foster had 28 strikeouts in 30 innings. He has the third most Ks in the MIAC. Roiger leads the MIAC in strikeouts with 30 in 36 innings.

Foster is one of the most experienced pitchers in the Piper stable of arms and is having a great season to cap off his Hamline career. The senior is a multi-sport standout who was profiled by College Sporting News Online. The full article is accessible through www.collegesportingnews.com.

The Pipers are getting solid play out of a variety of places. The team maintains a respectable .277 batting average and slightly bloated 4.87 ERA from the pitching staff. Despite the ERA, the Pipers have 20 more strikeouts (114) than the next-closest team, St. Thomas (95). With that kind of dominance, the Pipers are certain to be competitive in every outing. The team plays a competent defense as well that does not lose games for them. The 2007 Pipers are poised to build on the success of last year when the team set a school record for wins in a season (26) and appeared in their first ever MIAC Championship game.

Hamline baseball is currently tied for third in the MIAC with St. John’s, with St. Olaf tied for first. With only one win separating the standings, a MIAC title is a realistic possibility. Coach Jason Verdugo’s baseball program is up and coming. The prevailing notions of Hamline being the doormat of the MIAC are long gone as Verdugo has built a program that can sustain competitive play and success, year in and year out.

The Pipers’ next game is against Carleton today at 2:30 p.m. The MIAC contest will take place at Carleton. On Saturday the Pipers will take on St. John’s at Midway Stadium. The first pitch will be at 1 p.m. for a game that many people around the MIAC will be paying close attention to.