Senior Andy Schmidt struck out nine in a 5-3 win over the Johnnies in game one.
Senior Josh Spitzack recorded seven strikeouts and walked only one, but was stuck with the loss in a 4-2 Saint John’s win.
Tony Konicek makes a play on a pop-fly in the outfield.
Aaron Madson fields a ground ball at second base.
The Gustavus baseball team split a conference doubleheader with Saint John’s on Tuesday afternoon in Saint Peter. The Gusties came from behind to win game one 5-3, but then lost game two 4-2. Gustavus is now 12-9 overall and 2-4 in the MIAC.
In game one, Saint John’s jumped out to a 3-1 lead through three innings, however the Gusties scored once in the fourth, once in the fifth, and twice in the sixth to claim the 5-3 win. Andy Schmidt got off to a slow start allowing four hits and three runs, while walking three in the first three innings. Schmidt was solid the rest of the way as he did not allow a run in the final four innings, while scattering four hits and striking out six. While Schmidt was blanking the Johnnies, the Gustie offense came to life. Wade Vrieze homered to cut the lead to 3-2 in the bottom of the fourth and then Tony Konicek singled to drive in Tyler Kaus to tie the score at 3-3 in the bottom of the fifth. Aaron Madson led of the sixth inning with a triple and then scored what would turn out to be the game-winning run on a passed ball. Gustavus added an insurance run when Charlie Cicallelo got caught in a run-down between first and second base which allowed Wade Vrieze to score from third base making the score 5-3. Vrieze was the hitting star for the Gusties as he went 3-for-3 with a home run and two rbi.
In game two, Saint John’s scored once in the first, once in the second, and twice in the fifth to take a 4-0 lead. All four of the Johnnies runs were unearned as the Gusties committed three costly errors. Gustavus cut the lead to 4-2 in the bottom of the fifth as Tyler Kaus doubled to drive in Shea Roehrkasse and then Mike DesLauriers singled to drive in Spencer Barron. The Gusties had the bases loaded with one out, but Tony Konicek grounded into an innning ending double play. Starting pitcher Josh Spitzack put Saint John’s down in order in the top of the sixth inning then the Gusties used singles by Ben Sherer, Shea Roehrkasse, and Wade Vrieze to load the bases with one out. Unfortunately, Jake Bohnen grounded into an inning ending double play. In the bottom of the seventh, Johnnie starter Nathan Deutz got Tyler Kaus, Mike DesLauriers and Pat Siering to hit fly ball outs allowing Saint John’s to hold on for the 4-2 victory. Deutz earned the win for the Johnnies as he scattered seven hits, allowed one earned run, walked three and struck out two. Spitzack suffered the loss for the Gusties. He scattered six hits and did not allow an earned run, while walking one and striking out seven. Ben Sherer and Mike DesLauriers each picked up two hits for Gustavus.
The Gusties will travel to Augsburg for a doubleheader on Saturday, April 15. The first game will begin at 1:00 pm. Saint John’s will return home to host Hamline on Saturday.