Julie Mahre scores for the Gusties.
Shortstop Rachael Click throws out a runner from her knees in game one.
Joyce DeWitz pitched a shutout in game one.
Senior captain Tina Strauss gets set to field a ball at first base.
The Gustavus softball team opened its conference season with a sweep over Bethel University. The Gusties, who won the first game 10-0 and the second game 11-3, improved to 10-2 overall and 2-0 in the MIAC. In the first game, Joyce DeWitz led the Gusties on the mound throwing three innings and giving up one hit with three strikeouts. Bree Lindenberg went 3-3 and Erin Ge hit a grandslam to lead the Gusties. In the second game, Rachael Click went 4-4 and Abby Bernstein had four RBI, while Callie Nelsen pitched four innings and picked up the win on the mound.
In the first game, the Gusties got off to a fast start with five runs off five hits in the first inning. Julie Mahre led off with a single, then Rachael Click hit a double, shortly followed by an Emily Klein triple. The Gusties added a run in the second inning off an RBI from Abby Bernstein and in the third inning Erin Ge recorded her first career grand slam making the score 10-0. Joyce DeWitz picked up the win on the mound as she threw three innings and gave up one hit while striking out three. Bree Lindenberg pitched the remaining two innings giving up only one hit and recording a strikeout.
In the second game, the Gusties got off to another fast start scoring four runs on five hits in the bottom of the first inning. The key hit coming from Jenna Johnson who drove in three runs with a bases loaded double. The Gusties scored one run in the second, third and fourth innings to extend their lead to 7-2. After the Royals added a single run in the top of the fifth inning, the Gusties exploded for four runs in the bottom of the fifth to end the game as a result of the eight-run rule. Callie Nelsen picked up the pitching victory scattering six hits and allowing two earned runs in four innings of work. Betsie Collins pitched the fifth inning for the Gusties.
Gustavus will host Augsburg on Saturday afternoon at 1 pm. You will be able to listen to the first game of the doubleheader on KNUJ (AM 860) and through the Gustavus website. Tom Wheeler will handle the play-by-play and Tim Kennedy will be the color commentator.