The Gustavus baseball team saw its five-game winning streak come to an end in convincing fashion as Minnesota State University, Mankato handed the Gusties a 22-4 loss in a nine-inning game in St. Peter.
The two teams battled to a 4-4 tie through two innings, however MSU, Mankato posted six more runs in the top of the third to take a 10-4 lead and the Gusties could not keep up with the hot-hitting Mavericks. Gustavus scored four times in the second inning thanks to doubles by Andy Schmidt and Wade Vrieze and two Maverick errors. The Gusties were only able to register two hits in the final seven innings of the game. Meanwhile the Mavericks pounded out 14 more hits and scored 12 more runs against five Gustavus pitchers.
Gustavus was led by Wade Vrieze who picked up two hits in four at-bats and drove in two runs. MSU, Mankato was led by Jim Bohmbach who went four-for-six and drove in four runs. Bohmbach hit a triple and a home run. Kurt Beulke added two home runs for the Mavericks, who five out of the park in the game.
Ricky Sabo, who gave up eight runs on eight hits in two-and-two-thirds innings on the mound, was the losing pitcher for Gustavus. Jon Bjelland, who gave up two hits and did not allow a run in two innings of work, was the winning pitcher for MSU, Mankato.
The Gusties will begin an important week in league play with a doubleheader at Hamline on Wednesday afternoon. Coach Mike Carroll’s squad will then close out MIAC regular season play with a home doubleheader against Saint John’s on Saturday afternoon.