St. Paul –

After beginning the season 0-2 as the pitcher of record, Christopher Kelly came back to win each of his next three starts and become one of Gustavus’ go-to pitchers midway through the year.  In that stretch, Kelly gave up just three runs – two of which were earned – 11 hits and struck out 15 in 21 innings of work.  Kelly also appeared in relief during that time.  He came in to preserve a 5-3 win over Saint Mary’s by giving up no runs on two hits in two and two-thirds innings pitched.

Christopher Kelly

Grant Soderberg

On the season, Kelly appeared in 10 games, making eight starts and pitching 47 and two-thirds innings (2nd/team).  The sophomore also tallied an earned run average (ERA) of 2.45 (1st/team) after giving up 20 runs, 13 of which were earned.  He also recorded 38 strikeouts (2nd/team) compared to 14 walks and held his opponents to a batting average of .212.

Last year’s MIAC Rookie-of-the-Year, Grant Soderberg makes his second appearance in the postseason MIAC awards, however this year’s announcement marks his debut on the All-Conference Team.  Like Kelly, Soderberg began his sophomore campaign 0-2 before rattling off four straight victories, including one shutout.  In those four wins, Soderberg allowed just four runs in 27 and two-thirds innings pitched.

For the year, Soderberg started all nine games he appeared in on the hill.  In those nine starts, he pitched a total of 53 innings (1st/team) and tallied a record of 4-4 with an ERA of 2.89 (2nd/team) stemming from 29 runs allowed, 17 of which were earned.  He also recorded 45 strikeouts (1st/team) while surrendering just 12 walks and holding his opponents to a batting average of .253.

Tim Miller

As part of a conference-wide sportsmanship initiative, the MIAC announced the seventh-annual All-MIAC Sportsmanship team for baseball. Members of the All-MIAC Sportsmanship team are selected by their coaches and teammates as individuals who demonstrate ideals of positive sportsmanship both on and off the field of competition.  Gustavus was represented by senior captain Tim Miller (Sr., Eden Prairie, Minn.) on the All-Sportsmanship Team.

The Gusties finished the season 13-17 (10-10 MIAC) and placing eighth in the conference standings.

MIAC Release

Scott Benjamin went a combined 4-for-7 on the afternoon to lead the way at the plate.

St. Paul – The Gustavus Adolphus baseball team lost both games of a doubleheader to Augsburg College on Wednesday afternoon on the campus of Concordia University-St. Paul.  The Gusties took an early 1-0 lead in game one, but could not hang on as they fell by the score of 1-0.  In game two, a six-run third inning proved to be the difference in a 7-0 loss.  With the losses, Gustavus falls to 13-22 (10-10 MIAC) while Augsburg improves to 22-13 (10-8 MIAC).  The Gusties now await their playoff fate after tomorrow’s MIAC games.

Game 1 – Gustavus 1, Augsburg 3

The Gusties came out to take an early lead in game one.  Gustavus scored a run in the top of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead.

Tim Miller (Sr., Eden Prairie, Minn.) singled through the right side to lead things off before Sam Warner (Fr., Chanhassen, Minn.) walked.  Miller advanced to third after tagging up on a fly ball out and scored when Scott Benjamin (Jr., Northfield, Minn.) grounded out.

Gustavus held that lead for the first three innings until Augsburg scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth.  The Auggies used three singles and took advantage of one Gustie error in the inning to take a 2-1 advantage.

Gustavus threatened again in the top of the sixth inning.  After Taylor Bigandt (Fr., Littleton, Colo.) reached first on a dropped third strike, which should have been the third out of the inning, the Gusties went on to load the bases with two outs.  However, Augsburg got the ground out it needed to get out of the jam and strand three Gustavus runners.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Auggies tacked on an insurance run to extend their lead to 3-1, but the Gusties wouldn’t go away quietly.  With two outs in the top of the seventh, Benjamin doubled to left center and Kellan Euerle (Jr., St. Cloud, Minn.) singled through the left side to put runners on the corners, but Gustavus could not take advantage, leaving both runners stranded and stamp the score as final at 3-1.

Tim Miller was given the loss after throwing all six innings, allowing three runs on six hits and striking out three compared to just one walk.  Ryan Mestnik earned the win, going six innings and giving up just one run on three hits.

Scott Benjamin led the Gusties from the plate with a 2-for-4 performance to go along with one run batted in.

Box Score

Game 2 – Gustavus 0, Augsburg 7

It was one big inning that proved to be the difference in game two.  The two teams played to a scoreless tie through the first two innings until Augsburg broke the game open in the bottom of the third.

The Auggies scored six runs on five hits in the inning and also capitalized on one Gustavus error to explode out to the 6-0 lead and would not look back.

The Gusties loaded the bases in the top of the fourth, but again left all three runners on base and would not mount another scoring chance for the remainder of the game.  Augsburg scored once more in the bottom of the fifth for a final score of 7-0.

Grant Soderberg (So., Eden Prairie, Minn.) suffered the loss after just two and two-thirds innings of work.  Soderberg surrendered six runs on four hits and two walks in the game.  Ryan Minder was given the win after four innings of shutout baseball after allowing just one run.

At the plate, Scott Benjamin continued his hot bat in game two with another 2-for-3 performance.  Neil Engler (Fr., Lakeville, Minn.) also went 2-for-3 for the Gusties.

Box Score

The Gusties will now await the results of tomorrow’s MIAC action in regards to their playoff implications.

Connor Norris was rewarded the win on the hill in game two on Tuesday afternoon. (Photo courtesy of Dan Coquyt `14)

Connor Norris was rewarded the win on the hill in game two on Tuesday afternoon. (Photo courtesy of Dan Coquyt `14)

St. Peter, Minn. – The Gustavus Adolphus baseball team settled for a split with Macalester College at the Gustie Baseball Field on Tuesday afternoon.  The Gusties fell in game one 5-0 before coming back to win game two by the final score of 10-4.  Gustavus is now 13-20 overall and 10-8 in the MIAC while Macalester moves to 11-26 overall and 4-14 in the MIAC.

Game 1 – Gustavus 0, Macalester 5

Macalester came out to score a goal in the top of the first inning of game one to take an early 1-0 lead.  The Gusties averted disaster in the inning, as the Scots left the bases full.  After Ross Bronfrenbrenner singled to center field to lead off the game, Gustavus starter Christopher Kelly (So., Savage, Minn.) got the next batter to fly out before hitting Jimmy Belfont with a pitch and walking Tom Forster to load the bases with only one out.  Colin Carpenter flew out to center in the next at-bat that scored Bronfrenbrenner from third to take the 1-0 lead.  After Kelly plucked his second batter of the inning, he got a key strikeout to get out of the jam and avoid disaster.

Gustavus threatened in the bottom of the third inning.  Max Fidler (So., Lino Lakes, Minn.) singled up the middle to lead off the inning.  After Garrett Fuchs (So., Cold Spring, Minn.) reached on a fielder’s choice and Taylor Bigandt (Fr., Littleton, Colo.) singled, a groundout advanced the two runners to second and third with two outs.  Gustavus couldn’t capitalize, however, as a popup got Macalester out of the inning.

The Scots came back in the top of the fourth inning to score four runs on just two hits.  In the inning, Macalester took advantage a walk, a hit-by-pitch, and two Gustavus errors to put the game out of reach.  The Scots extended their lead to 5-0, which is where it would stay, as the Gusties could not mount a comeback.

Scott Benjamin went 3-for-6 on the day with two runs scored.

Gustavus actually held the advantage in the hits category, outhitting Macalester 7-5 in the contest, led by Scott Benjamin (Jr., Northfield, Minn.) and Max Fidler, who each went 2-for-3 in the ballgame.

Kelly was given the loss in the contest after going four innings on the mound.  The sophomore gave up five runs on four hits and struck out four, but walked to and hit three batters.  Justin Kleschen was awarded the win after throwing a complete game shutout.  Kleschen allowed seven hits in seven innings of work.

Box Score

Game 2 – Gustavus 10, Macalester 4

Gustavus found a way to produce runs in game two.  The Gusties scored in each of its first five offensive chances, scoring one run each in the first and second innings, three in the third, two in the fourth and three more in the fifth to account for their 10 runs.

In the third inning, the Gusties scored three runs on two hits while taking advantage of one walk, a hit-by-pitch, and one Macalester error.  A pair of triples highlighted the two-run fourth inning, and three hits in the bottom of the fifth helped Gustavus score three more runs.

In the middle of Gustavus’ offensive performance, Macalester sprinkled in a pair of two-run innings in the fourth and fifth, but the Scots could not match the Gusties as the score was stampled final at 10-4 in favor of the Black and Gold.

Connor Norris (Sr., Omaha, Neb.) earned the complete game win after throwing all seven innings and giving up four runs on five hits while striking out seven.  Nick Sia suffered the loss for Macalester after pitching three innings in relief and giving up five runs on five hits.

The Gusties again held the advantage offensively, outhitting the Scots 8-5, led by Tim Miller (Sr., Eden Prairie, Minn.) who turned in a 2-for-3 performance in the box.

Box Score

Gustavus will conclude its regular season with a twin bill in St. Paul against Augsburg tomorrow afternoon.  That doubleheader will take place on the campus of Concordia University-St. Paul at 2:30 p.m.

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The challenging spring of 2013 has resulted in numerous changes in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) throughout the spring sports season. The league announced one more Tuesday, with a change to the format of the 2013 MIAC Baseball Playoffs, which will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Veterans Field in Minnetonka.

Because all 11 teams will not complete their full 20-game conference schedule, the Playoffs will change from a four-team, double-elimination tournament to a six-team, single-elimination tournament. The top two seeds will receive a bye into the semifinals, with seeds three through six squaring off in two quarterfinal games Friday. The two semifinals will be held Saturday with the championship game to conclude the tournament on Sunday.

Friday’s quarterfinal games between No. 4 and No. 5 will open the tournament at 3 p.m. at Veterans Field, with the No. 3 vs. No. 6 matchup to follow at 7 p.m. Saturday, the No. 1 seed will take on the No. 4 vs. No. 5 winner at 2 p.m. with the No. 2 seed to face the No. 3 vs. No. 6 winner at 6 p.m. The two semifinal winners will meet for the conference championship Sunday at 1 p.m. All games will be nine innings.

At the time of this release, it appeared nearly all MIAC regular-season games will be completed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. However, Saint John’s and St. Olaf are unable to complete their postponed MIAC doubleheader, which triggered the change in format, and more teams could also come up short of the full 20 games if any inclement weather alters this week’s schedule. SJU is unable to compete Wednesday and Thursday due to spring semester final exams. The proposal to alter the tournament if all games were not played was put forth and approved by the coaches, and also approved by the MIAC Athletic Director’s council.

Prior to the start of Tuesday’s full slate of MIAC doubleheaders, only the University of St. Thomas had punched its ticket to the 2013 MIAC Baseball Playoffs. The Tommies (29-5, 17-1 MIAC) have already clinched the MIAC regular-season championship and the top seed in the Playoffs, so they will be one of two teams to receive a first-round bye, and they will take on the No. 4/5 winner Saturday at 2 p.m.

Currently, Gustavus is alone in second place with a 9-7 conference record, and there are six teams – Augsburg, Concordia, Hamline, Saint John’s, Saint Mary’s and Bethel – all with .500 records. The top six seeds will be determined by conference winning percentage and any previously-established tiebreaking criteria that applies.

This is just the latest major change during the difficult spring of 2013. In mid-April, the MIAC completely re-worked the conference baseball schedule in an attempt to get as many games played as possible, and as the standings reflect, the revised plan came very close to meeting its target. Many MIAC softball teams were affected by the weather even more, which resulted in an all-comers, 12-team tournament last weekend at Caswell Park in North Mankato. The MIAC Outdoor Decathlon and Heptathlon were also affected, as the multi-event championships were moved from Carleton to Saint John’s May 2-3.

The MIAC Baseball Playoffs – under their new, one-time only format – will take place at Veterans Field for the third year in a row. Hamline University will serve as the host for this year’s event, and will provide live online stats for all games. The MIAC and Webcast America will provide live online video and audio for all five games, with MIAC Media’s Mike Gallagher and Bethel University’s Dick Carlson providing the play-by-play and color commentary.

The MIAC has a tournament home page which contains complete details for the 2013 MIAC Baseball Playoffs including schedules, results, stats, recaps, photos and more. Fans can also connect throughout the 2013 MIAC Baseball Playoffs on Facebook and on Twitter (@MIAConline) using the hashtags #MIACBSB and #MIACPlayoffs.

St. Peter, Minn. - The Gustavus baseball team is set to host Macalester College in the final home doubleheader of the season on Tuesday afternoon at the Gustie Baseball Field.  The Gusties enter today with an overall record of 12-19 and a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) mark of 9-7.  Meanwhile, the Scots come into the afternoon with an overall record of 10-25 and an MIAC tally of 3-13.  Today’s doubleheader is set for a game one first pitch at 2:30 p.m.

Gustavus is most recently coming off a pair of losses to league-leading St. Thomas yesterday afternoon.  The Gusties gave up eight runs in the first two innings of game one on their way to a 12-2 loss before allowing three runs in the first two innings of game two in route to a 4-0 loss.  Macalester also played yesterday, splitting a doubleheader with Saint Mary’s.  The Scots dropped a nail-biter in 10 innings in game one by the final score of 2-1 before emerging victorious in game two with a final count of 7-1.

Live stats will be available for both games this afternoon.  You can follow all of the action by following the link below:

https://gustavus.edu/athletics/bb/LIVE/xlive.htm

Max Laureano went 2-for-6 and scored a run on the afternoon.

St. Paul – The Gustavus Adolphus baseball team dropped both games of a doubleheader to St. Thomas at Koch Diamond on Monday afternoon.  The Gusties surrendered 11 runs in the first three innings of a 12-2 loss in game one before falling by the final score of 4-0 in game two.  Gustavus now stands 12-19 (9-7 MIAC) on the season while St. Thomas clinches the MIAC regular season title with a record of 29-5 (17-1 MIAC).

Game 1 – Gustavus 2, St. Thomas 12

In game one, St. Thomas shot out of the gate, putting up two runs in the first inning and six more in the second to open up a quick 8-0 lead.  From there, the Gusties found it difficult to find solid ground.

They answered in the top of the third with two runs, but could not make a bid for a comeback as the Tommies came right back to score three in the bottom of the third to extend their lead to nine runs with a score of 11-2.

Gustavus held St. Thomas to one run in the final three innings, but could not push across a run of its own on the way to the 12-2 final score.

Justin Cunningham (So., Red Wing, Minn.) suffered the loss after completing one full inning of work and leaving with runners on base in the second inning.  He allowed a total of eight runs on five hits and walked four in the outing.  Game one’s winning pitcher was Josh Kubitschek, who went six innings and gave up two runs on three hits while striking out nine.

Box Score

Game 2 – Gustavus 0, St. Thomas 4

The Tommies jumped out to another early lead in game two.  St. Thomas scored two runs in the first inning and one in the second for an early 3-0 lead and would never look back.

The Gusties threatened in the top of the fifth when Cody Christensen (Fr., Luverne, Minn.) doubled to center field with only one out, but Gustavus could not capitalize and the score remained 3-0.  St. Thomas then tacked on another insurance run in the bottom of the fifth for the final score of 4-0.

Christensen would be the only Gustie base runner to reach scoring position in game two.  Of Gustavus’ six hits – all six of which came from different players – five were singles with Christensen’s double being the lone extra-base hit.

Jake Volness (Fr., Cokato, Minn.) received the loss after throwing five innings in which he gave up four runs on eight hits.  Zach Franz was given the win for the Tommies after throwing six innings of shutout baseball, giving up five hits and striking out five without surrendering a walk.

Box Score

The Gusties will be back in action tomorrow afternoon when they host Macalester College at the Gustie Baseball Field for a doubleheader beginning at 2:30 p.m.

St. Peter, Minn. - The Gustavus baseball team will travel to St. Paul for a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) doubleheader between the top two teams in the conference standings: the Gusties and the Tommies of St. Thomas.  With a record of 27-5 (15-1 MIAC), St. Thomas sits atop the league ranks while Gustavus sits second with a record of 12-17 (9-5 MIAC).

The Gusties are coming off a split with Saint John’s just yesterday in Collegeville.  After losing 1-0 in a nine inning defensive battle in game one, the Gustie bats came alive in game two to capture an 11-3 win.  Meanwhile, St. Thomas is coming off a split with Bethel, which marked their first loss in conference play this season.  The Tommies won game one 9-4 before falling in game two 2-0.

Max Fidler went 5-for-7 on the day with two RBI and a run scored.

Collegeville, Minn. – The Gustavus Adolphus baseball team split a doubleheader with Saint John’s University on Sunday afternoon at Saint John’s Field.  The Gusties fell in game one by a final score of 1-0 in nine innings before winning game two 11-3.  With the wins, Gustavus moves to 12-17 (9-5 MIAC) while Saint John’s is now 15-14 (6-8 MIAC).

Game 1 – Gustavus 0, Saint John’s 1

A pitcher’s duel in every sense of the phrase, the Gusties and Johnnies played to a 0-0 tie through the regulation seven innings.  Both teams threatened throughout the contest, but could not put one across.  Gustavus left runners in scoring position in the fourth, sixth, and seventh inning leaving scoring chances on the table.  Likewise, Saint John’s left runners in scoring position in the fourth, sixth, seventh, and eighth innings without capitalizing.

The Johnnies finally broke the seal with a run in the bottom of the ninth inning.  Dylan Graves led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Alex Powell.  Joey Long then delivered a walk-off single that scored Graves from second and closed the book on game one with a 1-0 final.

Although putting forth a masterful performance, Gustavus starter Grant Soderberg (So., Eden Prairie, Minn.) was given the loss.  Soderberg pitched all eight and one-third innings, giving up one run on seven hits and striking out six without surrendering a single walk.  Saint John’s starter Ryan Spengler earned the win with an even more impressive performance.  Spengler pitched nine innings of shutout baseball allowing just three hits and recording five strikeouts.

At the plate for the Gusties, Tim Miller (Sr., Eden Prairie, Minn.) tallied two of the three Gustavus hits.  The senior went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles in the game.  Joey Long led the way in the box for Saint John’s with a 2-for-4 performance and an RBI.

Box Score

Game 2 – Gustavus 11, Saint John’s 3

Game two opened much the same way that game one did, a scoreless tie after the first inning.  After the Gusties were retired in order in the top of the first, the Johnnies loaded the bases in the bottom half of the inning with only one out.  However, back-to-back fly ball outs got Gustavus out of the inning and the momentum had shifted in favor of the Gusties.

Gustavus used that momentum to score three runs in the second and four in the third to take a 7-0 lead.  From there, the Gusties controlled the game the rest of the way, scoring one run in the fourth and fifth innings to extend the lead to 9-0 before Saint John’s came back to score three in the bottom of the sixth.  Gustavus then tacked on two more insurance runs in the top of the seventh to push the final score to 11-3 in favor of the Black and Gold.

Kellan Euerle (Jr., St. Cloud, Minn.) recorded the win on the mound for Gustavus after giving up three runs on eight hits in six innings of work.  Scott Schroeder suffered the loss for Saint John’s after allowing seven runs on six hits in two and one-third innings pitched.

Offensively, Max Fidler (So., Lino Lakes, Minn.) went 4-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored.  Fidler also stole two bases.  Scott Benjamin (Jr., Northfield, Minn.) followed with a 3-for-5 outing coupled with a pair of RBI and two runs scored.

Box Score

The Gusties will be in action again tomorrow, Monday, May 6th when they travel to St. Paul to take on St. Thomas in an MIAC doubleheader scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m.

Christopher Kelly turned in a four-hit shutout in game one.

St. Peter, Minn. - The Gustavus baseball team split a doubleheader with Bethel University on Thursday afternoon at the Gustie Baseball Field by the final scores of 1-0 and 10-4.  The Gusties scored a run in the bottom of the first inning of game one, which proved to be enough for starting pitcher Christopher Kelly (So., Savage, Minn.), who recorded his third straight win in the shutout.  In game two, the Royals came out to score four runs in the first and two in the second to grab the early 6-0 lead and would fend off a Gustavus comeback on their way to the 10-4 win.  With the split, Gustavus moves to 11-16 overall (8-4 MIAC) while Bethel reaches the 20-win plateau at 20-11 overall (7-7 MIAC).

Game 1 – Gustavus 1, Bethel 0

With a combined six hits between the two teams, describing game one as a pitcher’s duel would be an understatement.  After the Gusties scored a run to take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, not a single runner would reach third base for either team.

In the Gustavus half of the first inning, Taylor Bigandt (Fr., Littleton, Colo.) led things off with a walk before advancing to second on a balk by Bethel starting pitcher Joe Zorn.  Gustavus took advantage of the miscue in the same at-bat as Sam Warrner (Fr., Chanhassen, Minn.) delivered a single up the middle that scored Bigandt with no outs in the inning.  The Gusties could do no further damage, however, and settled for the 1-0 lead.

From there, both pitchers settled into a groove on the hill.  Bethel threatened in the top of the second inning, putting runners on first and second with two outs, but Christopher Kelly got the ground ball out he needed to get Gustavus out of the jam and keep the shutout intact.

For the game, Kelly went all seven innings allowing four hits, striking out three, and surrendering just one walk in the complete game shutout.  His counterpart, Joe Zorn, also went the distance and was tagged with the loss.  Zorn gave up one run on just two hits, struck out four Gustie batters, and walked two in six innings of work.

Box Score

Game 2 – Gustavus 4, Bethel 10

After a defensive battle in game one, Bethel turned around and busted out of the gate in game two, scoring four runs in the first inning and two more in the second to take an early 6-0 lead.  With two outs and runners on first and second, the Royals rallied to score their four first inning runs on a pair of singles and a double.  In the second inning, it was a two-run single by Jared Watts that did the damage.

Gustavus answered with a run in the bottom of the second and three more in the bottom of the third to narrow the gap to 6-4.  Kellan Euerle (Jr., St. Cloud, Minn.) led things off in the second with a double down the left field line.  After advancing to third on a ground out, Scott Benjamin did the job with a ground out of his own to score Euerle.

In the third inning, a pair of singles put runners on first and second for Drew Block (Sr., Rochester, Minn.).  With two outs in the inning, the senior captain delivered with a three-run home run that cut the Royal lead to two runs.

The Royals came right back with two runs of their own in the top of the fourth inning to swing the momentum back in their favor.  David Freed doubled to center field to start things off for Bethel and after being moved to third on a sacrifice bunt, came in to score on a Matt Rowley double.  Rowley later scored on a Luke Schultz single and the Royals had some breathing room.

Bethel went on to add two more insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning as the Gusties could not mount another comeback.

David Freed was awarded the win after four shutout innings in relief.  Logan Peymann (So., Fairmont, Minn.) was given the loss after giving up four runs on three hits and walking two in one inning of work.

Box Score

The Gusties will next travel to Collegeville, Minn. on Saturday, May 4th for an MIAC doubleheader with Saint John’s University.  That twin bill is scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. first pitch.