Callie Nelsen
Betsie Collins
The Gustavus softball team got sterling pitching performances from Betsie Collins and Callie Nelsen on its way to a sweep against MIAC foe Carleton by the scores of 8-0 (5 inn.) and 9-0 (5 inn.) in Northfield on Thursday afternoon. Collins tossed a two-hitter in the Gusties 8-0 win in game one and Nelsen fired a one-hitter in the 9-0 win in game two. Emily Klein and Rachael Click each hit two-run home runs in game one, while Raquel Davis went 3-for-3 with a double and a triple in game two.
In the first game, the Gusties jumped out to a 2-0 lead on a Rachael Click two-run home run in the top of the first inning. Emily Klein extended the lead to 5-0 in the second inning when she drilled a three-run home run to straight away center field. Gustavus closed out the scoring in the fifth inning plating three more runs with the help of doubles by Click and Emily Wendorff. While the offense was running on all cylinders, junior Betsy Collins was limiting the Knights to two hits and striking out five batters.
In the second game, Gustavus got off to another quick start scoring four times in the top of the first inning. St. Peter natives Mackenzie Weber and Raquel Davis each drove in runs with bases loaded singles to spark the scoring outburst. Emily Wendorff hit a solo home run in the second inning. The Gusties scored at least one run in all five innings on their way to the 9-0 victory. Junior Callie Nelsen was flawless for Gustavus on the mound as she had a perfect game going through four innings before the Knights Andrea Duron stroked a single to centerfield in the bottom of the fifth inning. Nelsen retired the next three batters to secure the Gustie sweep. The Gusties pounded out 14 hits in the game including three doubles, two triples, and a home run.
Gustavus, which is scheduled to host Augsburg in a doubleheader in St. Peter on Saturday, improves to 13-3 overall and 2-0 in the MIAC.