The Gustavus baseball team wrapped up its spring break trip in Chandler, Arizona by splitting a doubleheader with Oberlin College. The Gusties lost game one 7-6, but prevailed in game two 20-2. Gustavus, which is now 7-9 overall, returns to action against Concordia in its league opener on Saturday at the Metrodome in Minneapolis at 1:30 pm.
In game one, Andrew Woitas put the Gusties ahead 2-0 in the bottom of the first inning when he drove in two runs with a single to left field. The Yeomen put four runs on the scoreboard after hitting three doubles in the top of the third inning to take a 4-2 lead. However, Gustavus tied the score at 4-4 in its next at-bat after a RBI triple by Alan Woitas and a RBI sacrifice fly by Tory Herman. Oberlin scored three runs over the next three innings to take a 7-4 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh inning. The Gusties took advantage of four Yeomen errors to score two runs, but were unable to drive the game-tying run across the plate as Oberlin hung on for the 7-6 win.
Starting pitcher Tory Herman recorded two innings on the mound and did not give up a hit. Thomas Jaede suffered the loss after giving up five runs in two innings. Kevin Hagen and Andrew Woitas also made relief appearances as Hagen pitched a scoreless fifth inning and Woitas gave up two runs in the last two innings. Alan Woitas led Gustavus with three hits in four at-bats and scored three runs, while Taylor Fish also went 2-for-4 at the plate as he scored two runs.
The Gusties raced out to a 9-0 lead midway through the fourth inning highlighted by a two-run home run from Matt Morgan down the left field line in the top of the third. Oberlin had a chance to cut into the margin in the bottom of the fourth as it scored one run, but left the bases loaded to end the rally. With an 11-1 lead heading into the seventh inning, Gustavus pounded out five hits and capitalized on two defensive errors to score nine runs. The Yeomen scored one run in their last at-bat as the Gusties salvaged the split with a 20-2 victory.
Cody Sukalski recorded the win as he pitched three scoreless innings for Gustavus. Jordan Seebach pitched four innings in relief as he gave up four hits and two runs. Offensively, Tory Herman turned in the top performance for the Gusties as he delivered four hits in five at-bats and drove in four runs. Alan Woitas and Mike DesLauriers each went 2-for-5 as Woitas recorded three RBIs and DesLauriers drove in two runs. Other players registering multiple hits included Erik Sveen, who went 2-for-4, and Nate Ruff, who went 2-for-3.