The Gustavus baseball team completed its six-game schedule in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome by splitting two games with Luther College on Wednesday night. The Gusties, who are now 4-2 on the season, won the first game by the score of 2-1, but then dropped the second game 6-0. Dave Wold was the winning pitcher for Gustavus in game one, while Chad Schnettler picked up the save. The Gusties leave Thursday, March 20 for 10 games in Chandler, Arizona over Spring Break.
In game one, Luther jumped out to a 1-0 lead with a run on two doubles in the bottom of the first inning, but that is all the Norse would muster as Dave Wold allowed only two hits in the next five innings. Chad Schnettler came in to pitch the seventh inning allowing one hit and earning the save. The Gusties tied the game at 1-1 in the fourth inning when Tory Hermann lofted a fly ball to left field that scored pinch-runner Greg Lane from third base. Gustavus scored the game-winning run in the fifth inning when Pat Siering tripled home Tyler Kaus who had singled to open the inning.
Luther advanced runners to third base in both the fifth and sixth innings, but Wold managed to work out of the jam both times and the Gusties were able to hold on for the 2-1 victory. Wold allowed four hits and one earned run in six complete innings of work. He walked three and struck out six. Tyler Kaus and Mike DesLauriers led the Gusties at the plate as both picked up two hits in three at-bats.
In game two, Luther jumped out to a 5-0 lead after three inning and went on to claim the 6-0 victory. Norse pitcher Cody Hyland stymied the Gusties for seven innings allowing just one hit while striking out four and walking four. Cody Sukalski was the starting pitcher for Gustavus and he allowed five earned runs on six hits in three complete innings of work. Ryan Michaelis pitched the final four innings for the Gusties scattering five hits and allowing one earned run. It was the first time Gustavus had been shutout in 18 games dating back to a 7-0 loss to St. Scholastica on April 22 of last season.
Coach Mike Carroll will now take his team to Chandler, Arizona for 10 games during spring break from March 21 to March 26. The Gusties will play five doubleheaders including Keene State on March 21, Middlebury on March 22, Williams on March 24, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on March 25, and Southern Maine on March 26. Gustavus is scheduled to open MIAC play at Concordia on Saturday, March 29.