St. Thomas took both games of doubleheader series against the Hamline Pipers Wednesday at Koch Diamond.
The Tommies (12-10 overall, 7-3 MIAC) needed extra innings to escape Game 1 with a 3-2 victory against the Pipers (10-16 overall, 3-7 MIAC), but were able take Game 2 in regulation with a 7-1 score.
“We got two wins,” coach Chris Olean said. “That’s the big thing.”
The Tommies started the first game by scoring two runs off of four hits in the second inning. The Tommies struggled throughout the rest of the game, managing only a single per inning from the sixth through the ninth.
Piper shortstop Jake Dujmovic started the fourth with a double and later scored on a sacrifice groundout, narrowing the Tommies’ lead to one. Hamline would later tie the game in the top of the sixth on two errors and a fielder’s choice made by the Tommies.
The Tommies had four errors in the Game 1, their highest count since March 25.
“Defensively we were (unsteady),” Olean said. “We didn’t take care of the baseball very well.”
Tommie outfielder Jimmy Dolan started the bottom of the ninth by advancing to first on a hit-by-pitch to the head and would end up at third after two sacrifice outs. Designated hitter Ryan Lust hit a walk-off single that brought Dolan home and secured the 3-2 victory in Game 1.
In Game 2, Jake Smith helped the Tommies find their stride, providing two hits, two steals and two runs.
Smith hit a dagger to left-center for a double in the bottom of the fourth and successfully stole third, which allowed him to score on a wild pitch by Piper pitcher Jimmy Skroch.
“That is my job,” Smith said. “God has blessed me with quick feet and quick hands. I just want to simplify the game.”
Pitcher Ryan Zimmerman, the most recent MIAC Player of the Week, maintained his strong play with 13 strikeouts and allowing six hits over six innings. The only run the Pipers would manage was on a deep double to right field by outfielder Mitch Benson to tie the game at one apiece.
After being dormant through the first five innings, the St. Thomas offense came alive in the bottom of the sixth. Four Tommies tallied six RBIs off of five hits to give the Tommies the 7-1 lead and secure a second victory over the Pipers.
The Tommies are now fourth in the MIAC and will play against the Wisconsin La Crosse Eagles, Friday, at Mayo Field in Rochester, Minnesota.
“We do not want to coast,” Smith said. “We want to enjoy this for a little bit but (prepare for) the next. We have a hefty schedule left, we got a lot of work to do.”
Matthew Curry can be reached at curr1523@stthomas.edu.