The Gustavus softball team suffered its first MIAC losses of the season after being swept by St. Thomas on Thursday in St. Paul. The MIAC-leading Tommies topped the Gusties 8-0 in five innings in game one, and 10-3 in game two. The Tommie bats were hot all afternoon, as the Gusties were out-hit 24-to-6 in the doubleheader. Gustavus falls to 16-11-1 overall and 9-2-1 in the MIAC, while St. Thomas improves to 30-4 overall and 16-0 in the MIAC.
The Tommies scored three runs in the first inning, two in the fourth, and three more in the fifth to earn the eight-run rule. St. Thomas pitcher Biz Sitzmann gave up just two hits in game. Jen Ulmen and Emily Wendorff were each 1-for-2 at the plate. Kate Rentschler (11-7) suffered the loss for Gustavus, allowing eight runs on 13 hits in four innings.
St. Thomas grabbed a first inning lead in game two as well, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first to go up 2-0. The Gusties knotted the game at 2-2 the next inning when MacKenzie Dalton singled to bring in Kirsten Prunty and Amy Lynch. Dalton went 1-for-2 with two RBI in the game.
The Tommies took back the lead with one run in the bottom of the second inning and three runs in the third to bring the score to 6-2. Emily Gregory hit a two-out two-run homer in the third to give St. Thomas the four-run edge.
The Gusties cut the lead to 6-3 in the top of the fifth inning when Wendorff drove in Lisa Klass with a single. The Tommies answered with a big four-run inning in the bottom half of the frame, bringing the score to a final at 10-3. The game was called in the sixth inning due to rain.
Erin Truebenbach (5-3) got the complete-game loss on the hill, giving up 10 runs (9 earned) on 11 hits. Cassie Smith was the victor for St. Thomas, giving up three runs (1 earned) on hour hits.
The Gusties will need to have a short memory as they are set to face second place Bethel in a doubleheader tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. in St. Peter. The Royals enter the twin bill at 9-3 in the MIAC and 18-10 overall.