The Gustavus Adolphus College softball team continued its impressive run in the Division III College World Series with a 5-0 win over Tufts University on Sunday evening in Montclair, New Jersey. The Gusties, who improved to 42-8 on the season, will play Coe College on Monday afternoon at 12:00 pm (EST) with the winner getting a chance to take on Messiah College at 2:30 for the national championship. The Gustavus/Coe winner would need to beat Messiah twice to claim the national title.
The Gusties, who were knocked into the loser’s bracket after a 2-0 loss to Messiah College on Saturday afternoon, picked up two impressive wins on Sunday defeating Salisbury State 10-4 in the first game of the day and then knocking off Tufts University 5-0 in the final game of the day under the lights at Montclair Softball Stadium.
Gustavus took a 1-0 lead in the first when Emily Klein singled, stole second base, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Jenny Ewert, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Rachael Click. The Gusties broke the game open in the fifth when Rachael Click stroked a two-out double to centerfield driving in two runs. Click eventually rounded the bases and scored the third run when the throw from the outfield got by the catcher. Gustavus added an insurance run in the sixth inning and claimed the 5-0 victory.
Sophomore Erin Truebenbach tossed a gem for the Gusties as she pitched a complete game shutout allowing just three hits, while striking out four and not walking a batter. Truebenbach improved to 16-4 on the season.