Whitney Bartolo slides safely into second base.
Second baseman Julie Mahre gets set to throw out a Carleton runner at first base.
The Gustavus women’s softball team solidified its playoff position by sweeping Carleton 8-0, 8-0 in St. Peter on Saturday afternoon. Both games were shortened to five innings due to the eight-run rule. Gustavus improves to 19-13 overall and 13-3 in the MIAC. The Gusties are currently in third place in the MIAC two games behind first place St. Thomas and one game behind second place Saint Mary’s. Gustavus needs to win two of its six final regular league games next week to clinch a playoff spot.
The doubleheader with Carleton was played in cool and windy conditions at the Gustavus softball field. The first game was a pitcher’s duel through three innings as the Gusties held on to a slim 1-0 lead. Gustavus however, exploded for four runs in the bottom of the fourth and three runs in the bottom of the fifth to earn the victory on the eight-run rule. In the fourth inning rally, the Gusties used three timely hits and were helped out by two Carleton errors. Abbie Bernstein opened the inning with a double and then scored when the Knights misplayed a ground ball by the Gusties’ Kristin Kunz. Whitney Bartolo, Erin Ge and Audrey Lenoch all drove in runs in the inning. In the fifth, Gustavus punched out three singles, but were helped out by two more Carleton errors and scored three times. Joyce DeWitz limited the Knights to just two hits in five innings. She walked four and struck out five batters. Caitlyn Cornell was the losing pitcher for Carleton. She allowed eight runs (3 earned) on eight hits in four-and-one-third innings of work.
The second game was also a carbon copy of the first as Gustavus put together two big innings and claimed an 8-0 victory in five innings. Janie Hanson limited the Knights to two hits in four innings and picked up the win on the mound. Jenna Ruhl pitched one strong inning in relief as she put Carleton down in order in the top of the fifth. In the third inning, Gustavus scored four times to take a 5-0 lead. The Gusties strung together four hits including a triple by Mary Furlong and a double by Meghan Powers. In the bottom of the fifth, Gustavus closed out the game by scratching out three runs on one hit. The big hit in the inning was a double by Audrey Lenoch. Carleton once again struggled at the plate as they could only muster two hits in the contest. Liesl Van Ryswyk was the losing pitcher for the Knights. She allowed eight runs (7 earned) on seven hits while walking three and striking out two. Carleton falls to 10-16 overall and 8-8 in the MIAC.
Gustavus will host Augsburg on Tuesday, April 26 at 4:00 pm. The Knights will host St. Catherine on Tuesday at 4:00 pm.