Seventh inning rallies decide softball split with St. Mary's

In game two, the Pipers (8-8, 2-4 in the MIAC) capitalized on a Cardinal error to plate the game-winning run. After a leadoff error put Piper first baseman Sarah Dittberner on base, right fielder Kala Ebbe moved her over to second with a sacrifice bunt. Rachel Roberts later moved her to third before leadoff hitter Jourdan Ulrich's two-out infield single gave the Pipers the win.

Ulrich finished the game 2-for-4 at the plate. She was the only player from either team to account for more than one base hit.

Roberts (3-1) pitched the distance for Hamline, allowing one run on five hits. She struck out one and walked one. Her lone mistake was a run-scoring single by Cassie Otte in the fifth inning to knot the score at 1-1.

Hamline took the lead on a Dittberner RBI groundout in the fourth.

Cardinal starter Megan Wallisch (10-6) allowed two runs on six hits in the game. She struck out two and walked two.

In game one, Hamline led 1-0 until the Cardinals (10-8, 5-3) plated four runs in the seventh to win 4-1.

Hamline pitcher Theresa Boleen (5-6) held St. Mary's to three hits over the first six innings, but sophomore catcher Megan Pulvermacher started the inning with a double to left. She was sacrificed to third before Melissa Mondo walked and stole second. Third baseman Nikki Jung followed with a two-run single to give St. Mary's their first lead of the contest.

Cardinal Jenny Giannini added another two-run single in the inning for the game's final outcome.

Hamline grabbed the lead in the third on a Grace Weinreich RBI groundout to score Ulrich, who went 2-for-4 at the plate.

Wallisch took the win, striking nine and walking two through seven innings of work.

The Pipers will host Macalester on Monday. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m.