That was quite an opening act for the Hamline baseball team Saturday. Joe Setrum uncorked a grand slam home run in the bottom of the seventh inning as HU rallied from a seven-run deficit for an 11-9 victory over Augsburg in the MIAC opener for both teams at CHS Field. The Pipers nearly did it again in the nightcap, bringing the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning before falling 6-4 for a split of the day's festivities. 

The first game started grimly. The Auggies scored four times in the third and fourth innings for an 8-1 lead midway through the game. The Pipers pecked away a bit with two runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Augsburg scored once in the seventh and held a 9-5 lead when HU came up for last licks. Nolan Schoonveld led off with a single. After Rick Tormey struck out, the next four Pipers reached base via two singles, an error and a hit by pitch. This was good for two runs to make it 9-7. Collin Olstad struck out to set the stage for Setrum, who rocketed a shot well over the right field fence to set off a wild celebration (see picture). Sam Petrick (3-0), the third of three HU relievers who did not allow an earned run, was the beneficiary of Setrum's blow, his second four-bagger of the season, to earn the win. 

The Auggies jumped out in front early in game two as well. They led 3-0 in the third inning when Nick Kukurich homered to left to get the Pipers on the board. It stayed at 3-1 until the seventh. Augsburg scored three times to make it 6-1 but HU refused to go quietly. Devin Rodgers unleashed a two RBI double and galloped home on pinch hitter Noah Wolfe's single that made it 6-4. But that was close as Hamline would get. 

In addition to being 1-1 in the MIAC, HU is now 7-11 overall on the season. Hamline is back in action Wednesday, April 5 against Macalester at CHS Field. The doubleheader begins at 2:30 p.m.