Kate Rentschler – April Student-Athlete of the Month – Sophomore, Softball
Gustavus Adolphus sophomore softball player Kate Rentschler proved her worth both on the rubber and at the plate in April, helping the Gustavus softball team to a 15-2-1 overall record in the month. For her efforts, the Gustavus Sports Information Department has named Kate Student-Athlete of the Month.
Rentschler hit safely in 8-of-13 games in which she batted, registering a batting average of .367 (11-30) over April. The second-year slugger knocked in 15 runs, second only to teammate Dani Cattrysse who had 20 RBI. She also ripped five doubles and knocked out a team-high three home runs for a slugging percentage of .833.
On the hill, the Lakefield, Minn. native turned in quality outing after quality outing throughout April, starting in 11 games and going 9-2. She pitched 65 total innings, allowing 78 hits and 34 runs (25 earned runs) for an ERA of 3.02. Rentschler struck out 49 batters over the month for an average of 3.5 k’s per game.
Rentschler is currently 15-7 on the year with the sixth best ERA in the MIAC at 3.32. She is also ranked second in the league in opposing batting average (.276), strike outs (88), and wins (15). At the plate, Rentschler is hitting .339 with a team-high 22 RBI and four home runs. Her slugging percentage of .695 is currently ranked fifth in the conference.
The Gustavus softball team will conclude the regular season with a doubleheader against Saint Benedict on Wednesday, May 4 in St. Peter. The Gusties have secured the #2 seed in the MIAC Playoffs and are slated to play the #3 seed TBD on Friday, May 6 at 2:30 p.m. at Bethel in Arden Hills.
Kate Rentschler is a Biology major with a GPA of 3.358. She also devotes her time to volunteer activities such as Study Buddies, One-Time Volunteers, and Africa Partners Medical (APM).
Alex Kolquist – April Student-Athlete of the Month – Sophomore, Golf
The smiling face of Gustavus’ Alex Kolquist will grace the Thrivent Financial Student-Athlete of the Month board for the second time this school year, as the sophomore golfer turned in one of the best months of his career. Kolquist played a key role in Gustavus’ first place finishes at the St. Thomas/Saint John’s Triangular and Saint John’s invite, and runner-up finish at the Bobby Krig Invitational.
Kolquist’s top feat of the month came in the season finale at the Saint John’s Invitational. He finished in a three-way tie for first place after firing a one-over par total of 73-70-72-215. His performance at the SJU Invite was his top finish of the season, earning Kolquist recognition from the MIAC as the league’s Golf Athlete of the Week.
The Hermantown, Minn. native started the month by shooting a 75 (+3) to finish in a tie for second place. He then placed 17th after shooting a 71-78-74-223 (+11) at the Bobby Krig Invite.
After a complete top-to-bottom effort by the Gustavus men’s golf team over the spring, Head Coach Scott Moe’s squad earned an at-large bid to participate in the NCAA Division III Men’s Golf Championships. The Gusties averaged a team score of 292.0 through seven rounds this spring. Kolquist will look to lead the Gusties at the NCAA Championships, entering the event with 73.8 spring average per round.
Kolquist and the rest of the Gustavus men’s golf team will travel to the Grandover Resort in Greensboro, North Carolina on May 10-13 to participate in the NCAA Championships. The Gusties are ranked 14th in the nation according to the most recent Golf Coaches Association of America poll.