The Gustavus baseball team extended its winning streak to 11 games and locked up one of four spots in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference baseball playoffs with a sweep of Carleton Wednesday afternoon. The Gusties took game one 9-5 and completed the sweep with a 18-8 win in game two. Sophomore catcher Shea Roehrkasse batted 3-for-6 on the day, including a pair of home runs and five RBI in game two.
Game 1 – Gustavus Adolphus 9, Carleton 5
In game one, the Gusties took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning as Andy Schmidt scored on a Tyler Kaus sacrifice fly and Mike DesLauriers scored on a RBI ground-out by Nate Ruff. The Knights cut the lead to one run in the fourth inning as Ethan Guevin scored when a Luke Muellerleile single was misplayed in right field.
Gustavus added two more runs in the fourth off a Schmidt two-RBI double and another in the fifth on a home run by Tony Konicek to center field. After pitching five innings of two-hit baseball, the Knights began to knock around Gustie starting pitcher Wade Vrieze. After allowing a pair of singles to open the inning, Vrieze was lifted in favor of Chad Schnettler. Schnettler, however, allowed a two-RBI single to Carleton third baseman Jay Melson and a RBI single to first baseman Roddy Theobald and was pulled without recording an out as the Knights cut the Gustie lead to 5-4. Charlie Cicalello entered the game and recorded the final two outs of the inning.
The Gusties scored four runs in the sixth inning to provide Cicalello some breathing room. Vrieze, who remained in the game in left field after leaving the mound, scored on a wild throw by Carleton catcher Nick Shepard to third base. Kaus and Madson followed with RBI doubles, while Konicek capped off the rally with a RBI single up the middle.
Cicalello allowed one run in the top of the seventh inning as Luke Muellerleile doubled in center fielder Doug Sylvester.
Vrieze picked up the win, allowing three runs on four hits in 5 1/3 innings of work. The Gusties knocked out 11 hits, led by Madson and Konicek each going 2-for-4. Konicek knocked in a pair, while Madson had one RBI. DesLauriers went 2-for-3 with one run scored.
Game 2 – Gustavus Adolphus 18, Carleton 8
Sophomore catcher Shea Roehrkasse went 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs, five RBI and three runs scored to lead the Gusties to a 18-8 win in game two. Gustavus out hit Carleton 16-8 and capitalized on three Knight errors.
The Gusties scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning on RBI singles by Konicek and Pat Siering as well as a RBI ground-out by Ben Sherer, but the Knights came charging back in the top of the second inning with five runs on only three hits. Carleton’s run was capped by a three-run home run by center fielder Doug Sylvester.
Madson put the Gusties back in front 6-5 in the bottom of the second inning with a three-run home run of his own. Gustavus added seven more runs in the third inning highlighted by a three-run home run by Roehrkasse and a RBI single by Kaus.
Carleton scored three runs in the fourth inning on only two hits to cut the lead to 13-8, but could get no closer. Gustavus scored a pair of runs in their half of the fourth before Roehrkasse erupted for his second home run of the game as part of a three-run Gustie sixth inning.
David Wold moved his record to 4-1 on the season after allowing eight runs on five hits. Madson, Konicek and DesLauriers each went 2-for-4, while Kaus went 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored. Madson drove in three, while Konicek and Sherer each drove in a pair of runs.
Gustavus (25-10, 13-5 MIAC) extended its winning streak to 11 games, the team’s longest since it won 12 straight in 1971. The 25 wins is tied for second-most in team history, matching the total posted in 2002 and trailing only the 29 wins posted in 2004, the last time the Gusties made the MIAC Tournament. The sweep allowed the Gusties to lock up one of four spots in the MIAC Playoffs May 13-15.