The Gustavus softball team extended its winning streak to five games with a doubleheader sweep against Macalester (7-1, 8-0) on Thursday afternoon in St. Peter. Audrey Lenoch went 4-for-6 with a homerun and five RBIin the two games to lead the Gusties. The Gusties improve to 11-5 overall and 5-1 in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Macalester falls to 2-16 overall and 1-7 in MIAC play.
Gustavus got out to a quick start scoring three times in the first inning of the first game. Lenoch started the rally with a two out single that drove in Julie Mahre. Abby Bernstein doubled two batters later to drive in the other two runs. In the third inning, Macalester scored its lone run when Kate Ziegler doubled driving in Katie Grudnowski. Bernstein added her third RBI when she singled in Lenoch in the bottom of the fifth to make the score 4-1. The Gusties closed out their scoring on a three run home run by Lenoch in the sixth inning. Sarah Manke started at pitcher for the Gusties and went four innings, while giving up one run on four hits and striking out three. Joyce DeWitz pitched the final three innings giving up no hits and striking out six. Manke was credited with the win and is now 3-1 on the season.
In the second game, the Gusties came out in the first inning and scored three runs. Rachael Click had two RBI, while Lenoch drove in the other run with a triple. Gustavus extended its lead to 7-0 with a pair of run in both the third and fourth innings. DeWitz, who started at pitcher for Gustavus, had a no-hitter going through four innings, but gave up her only hit when Kate Ayer stroked a single to centerfield to start the fifth inning. Gustie rightfielder Emily Klein scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the fifth inning to make the final score 8-0. DeWitz, who improved to 6-3 on the season, pitched all five innings giving up one hit, no runs, and striking out ten.
Gustavus extended its win streak against Macalester to 16 games dating back to the 1998 season. The Gusties have compiled an all-time record of 41-9-1 against the Scots.
With her triple in the first inning of the second game Audrey Lenoch moved into a first place tie with Kelly Reddy (1991-1994) with 11.
Gustavus will travel to St. Paul next Saturday to play Bethel University. The first game starts at 1:00 pm.