The Gustavus softball team snapped a three-game losing streak with 9-4 and 7-3 wins against St. Olaf in Northfield on Wednesday. Julie Mahre led the Gustie offense as she went 7-for-8 from the plate with three extra-base hits and four RBI, while Erin Truebenbach and Callie Nelsen earned the victories. Gustavus improved to 13-5 overall and 3-3 in the MIAC, as St. Olaf fell to 8-10 overall and 1-5 in conference play.
Julie Mahre led off game one with a triple, and later scored on a wild pitch to give Gustavus an early one-run lead. St. Olaf later tied the game in the bottom of the first inning at 1-1. The Gustie offense broke the game open in the fifth inning by scoring six runs on four hits. Emily Klein started the inning with a single to center field, advanced to second after an error and scored after two past balls. Andrea Brown delivered a crucial double that drove in two runs to add to the Gustavus run total. Rachael Click also hit a RBI-double before the inning was over.
St. Olaf rallied for three runs in the bottom of the sixth as the Oles hit two runs and Gustavus committed two errors. However, Gustavus held off St. Olaf for the rest of the game as Erin Truebenbach remained undefeated on the mound as she pitched six innings allowing seven hits and four runs. Mahre finished the game 4-for-4 with two extra-base hits, scored two runs, and delivered two RBI, while 12 runners were left on base.
The Gustie offense continued to play well as hitters compiled 15 hits and seven runs in the second game of the doubleheader. Emily Wendorff, Mahre, and Click each went 3-for-4 from the plate and combined for three RBI. A four-run second inning proved to be the difference in game two as Mahre drove in two runs and Jesse Pelzel and Wendroff has one RBI each. St. Olaf closed the gap in the bottom half of the inning as the Oles scored three runs on three hits. Gustavus added runs in the fourth and fifth innings. St. Olaf threatened to score in the fifth inning, but were unable to receive the timely hit as the Oles left two runners on base. Callie Nelsen picked up the win for Gustavus as she threw four strikeouts, while allowing ten hits and three runs.
Gustavus will play its first home games of the season on Friday when the Gusties host Macalester at 4 p.m.