Softball takes top-ranked Tommies to extra innings

Hamline first-year pitcher Rachel Roberts quieted St. Thomas, who came into the doubleheader as the top-ranked team in the latest AFCA poll. Roberts went the distance, allowing two earned runs in eight innings of work. She struck out two and walked one in the losing effort.

After playing to a 2-2 tie, the Tommies (18-2, 4-0 in the MIAC) took the lead in the eighth inning on a Morgan Betker RBI double to right. That would be all reliever Maria Bye needed, working a 1-2-3 eighth inning to earn her 13th win of the season. She also pitched a scoreless seventh inning to force extras.

The Pipers (7-5, 1-3) came back from one-run deficits on two occasions. In the second inning, Brenna Healy and Sophie Davidson hit back-to-back singles to open the inning. Healy would eventually score on an error to knot the game at 1-1. Catcher Ashley Anderberg hit an RBI double in the fourth to tie the game at 2-2. Both Hamline runs were unearned.

Stephanie Moores had three of the Tommies' nine hits in the game.

In game one, St. Thomas pounded out 13 hits to win 7-0. First baseman Carrie Embree went 3-for-3 with a solo home run and three RBIs in the game.

Bye picked up the win, pitching three scoreless innings. Three Tommie pitchers combined on the three-hitter.

Hamline starter Theresa Boleen gave up six earned runs through seven innings. She struck out four and walked two.