The Gustavus softball team opened up the Sun West Tournament in Orange, California with a loss and a win on Saturday, March 26. The Gusties lost 5-0 to Tufts University (Mass.) in the first game of the doubleheader. Gustavus improved its overall record with a 4-4 with a 4-0 win against Cornell College (Iowa) in the second game of the day.
In game one against Tufts, Gustavus looked like they would get on the scoreboard first with a lead off double by Julie Mahre and a single by Audrey Lenoch. Unfortunatley, the Gusties were unable to bring the runners home. In the third inning, Tufts would take a 1-0 lead with a double from Katie Smith to bring home Danielle Lopez. Tufts would add four runs in the bottom of the sixth to make the final 5-0. Pitcher Janie Hanson recorded the loss for Gustavus. Hanson pitched six innings, faced 28 batters, recorded three strike outs and allowed seven hits.
In game two against Cornell, the Gusties jumped out to a 1-0 lead after one inning of play. Julie Mahre got on base on a fielding error by Cornell. Erin Ge layed down a sacrifice bunt to advance Mahre to second base. Audrey Lenoch singled to right-center field to advance Mahre to third. Lenoch stole second base and Mahre scored off of a throwing error by Cornell’s catcher. Gustavus added another in the third inning. Lenoch scored off a Meghan Powers single to right field. The Gusties doubled the score in top of the sixth with runs scored by Meghan Powers and Whitney Bartolo.
Joyce Dewitz earned the win on the mound for Gustavus. Dewitz recorded an impressive nine strike outs and allowed just one hit in seven innings pitched.
Gustavus will return to action on Monday, March 28 against Simon Fraser (British Columbia) at 1:00 p.m. (PT) and Briar Cliff (Iowa) at 3:30 p.m.