NORTHFIELD, Minn. – First year Kaleigh Santmyer hit the go-ahead two-run home run for the St. Olaf College softball team in a 3-2 win in game one, but visiting Hamline University took the second game, 4-1, to salvage a split on Tuesday afternoon at Mabel Shirley Field.

In the opener, Santmyer hit a two-run shot for her first-career home run to put St. Olaf (17-11, 7-5 MIAC) on top, 3-2, and junior Julie Graf did not allow a run after the first inning. Hamline (13-14, 6-5 MIAC) rebounded in game two behind a complete game from Alex Molloy, who worked all 13 innings of the twin bill for the Pipers.

St. Olaf 3, Hamline 2 | Box Score

Hamline got out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning before St. Olaf scored the final three runs of the game, capped by Santmyer's two-run blast to left. First year Tarah DeCroock also had an RBI double for the Oles.

After allowing the two first-inning runs, Graf held the Pipers scoreless over the final six innings, finishing the game with 17 strikeouts, the second-highest single-game total in conference history. The junior ran her record to 11-9 on the season by picking up the win.

Hamline scored twice in the first inning despite not getting a hit, using three walks, two hit batters and a wild pitch. With two runs already in, the Pipers had the bases loaded with one out before Graf got a pair of strikeouts to limit the damage.

The Oles got on the board in the bottom of the third, as sophomore Ally Bode and DeCroock started the frame with back-to-back doubles. DeCroock's double to the right-field corner scored Bode, who had doubled to deep left to start the frame.

With Hamline clinging to the one-run lead, St. Olaf put together a two-out rally in the fifth to go ahead. After the first two batters were retired, DeCroock singled up the middle before Santmyer homered to left for the eventual game-winning runs.

Graf ended the top of the sixth with a strikeout to leave runners at second and third and left the tying run at second in the seventh to complete the victory.

Hamline 4, St. Olaf 1 | Box Score

Molloy kept St. Olaf off the scoreboard until the seventh inning in the nightcap to help the Pipers gain a split and stay right behind the Oles in the MIAC standings. Molloy went the distance for her 10th victory of the season, allowing just one run on five hits with five strikeouts and one walk.

Delaney Kohler led off the second with a home run to right center to get the scoring started for Hamline. The Pipers added two runs in the fourth and another in the fifth to take a 4-0 lead.

After being held to three hits through six innings, St. Olaf mounted a rally when down to its final out in the seventh. Molloy retired the first two batters before Jordan Melz singled and Bode was hit by a pitch. DeCroock notched her third hit of the day, bringing in Melz with a single to right, but a called third strike ended the rally.

First year Sydney Robson suffered just her second loss of the season after allowing three runs (two earned) in the first four innings. Graf allowed an unearned run over the final three frames with five strikeouts.

St. Olaf visits Bethel University on Saturday, Apr. 13 for a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. in Arden Hills.