ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The Macalester College softball team traveled to the home field of Hamline University today for a pair of Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference games. The Scots fell to the Pipers in both match-ups, dropping game one 4-3 and falling in game two 5-2.

With the sweep, Hamline improves to 20-6 overall and 13-1 in the MIAC (first place). Macalester falls to 17-13 overall and 5-8 in conference action (9th place).

Game One: Hamline 4, Macalester 3

After scoring a quick run in the top of the first inning off of a homerun by first year outfielder, Lisa Semro, the Pipers made a run of their own. They put up four runs in the bottom half of the first inning on four hits and two Macalester errors.

With a three-run deficit, the Scots were able to slowly chip away. They scored once more in the top of the second and again in the top of the third on an RBI walk drawn by Abby Cox.

With Hamline up by one (4-3) they were able to hold off the Scots for the remaining four innings to secure the win.

Both teams finished with seven hits in the contest. Saraswati Wilson, Lisa Semro and Hali Englert each posted two-hit performances at the plate. Brittany Ehmann recorded one hit in the game.

Miranda Stokes started on the mound for the Scots, but pitched just 1.1 innings before being relieved by Ehmann. Ehmann went 4.2 innings, giving up three hits and no runs. Stokes was credited with the loss, her record on the mound moving to 7-6 this season.

Game Two: Hamline 5, Macalester 2

The Scots were able to score early again in game two. They scored one run in the top of the first off of an RBI single by Hali Englert. The Scots scored again in the top of the second after Miranda Stokes singled to left field for an RBI.

Hamline was up for the challenge though. The Pipers scored two runs in the bottom of the first, two more in the bottom of the fifth and one in the sixth to take a 5-2 lead. They finished with nine hits to Macalester's nine, and committed no errors in the game. The Scots were credited with two.

Wilson, Stokes and Englert each went two-for-three at the plate. Nikki Caicedo and Abby Cox each added one hit.

Brittany Ehmann started on the mound, pitching six complete innings. Ehmann struck out three and walked five in the loss; her record moving to 8-7 this season.

Macalester will return to action on Thursday, April 16 when they host Gustavus Adolphus at the Macalester Softball Complex. Games are slated for 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/macalester/