ST. PAUL — The Martin Luther College Knights softball team split a doubleheader against the Hamline Pipers on Wednesday, falling 7-0 in the opener before winning the nightcap 6-5.

MLC pitcher Keightan Rank took the Game 1 loss, allowing five hits and four walks for four earned runs while striking out four. The Knights got three hits in the game on singles from Rank, Sarah Yonkovich and Chloe Koschnitzke.

Allison Boynton got the shutout for the Pipers in Game 1, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out four.

In the Game 2 win for the Knights, Chloe Berg got the pitching win in 5 2/3 innings, allowing five hits and eight walks for four earned runs. Rank got the save in 1 1/3 innings, allowing three hits and two walks for one earned run.

The Knights got their bats going to finish the day strong with a 12-hit attack. Kiara Humann

led the way with a 3-for-4 game, while Rank was 2 for 3 with an RBI, Kaylee Pickering was 2 for 4 with an RBI double and Berg was 2 for 4. Koschnitzke and Rachel McCaughna each added a hit and an RBI for the Knights as well, while Yonkovich was 1 for 1.

Natalee Boelk took the loss in the circle in Game 2 in four innings of work, allowing eight hits and no walks for five earned runs while striking out three.

MLC (4-14) travels to Wisconsin this Friday to take on UW-Superior in a 1 p.m. UMAC game. The Knights finish the three-game series against the Yellowjackets with a doubleheader on Saturday, with Game 2 in the series scheduled for 11 a.m. and the third game scheduled for 1 p.m.