Max Laureano was 2-for-4 in the doubleheader with a double and a run scored.
Minneapolis, Minn. – The Gustavus baseball team dropped its season-opening doubleheader to No. 14 UW-Stevens Point at the Metrodome on Sunday evening. The Gusties dropped game one 3-2 and game two 5-1. The Gusties were sound defensively throughout the night, but the bats struggled to gain momentum throughout the evening. As a team, the Gusties hit into four double-plays between the two games, with three coming in the second game alone. The Gusties fall to 0-2 to start the season, while the Pointers improve to 2-0.
Game 1 – Hits were hard to come in the opening contest of the twinbill, but both teams made their hits count during the game. Of Gustavus’ four hits, one was a Max Laureano ground-rule double. The Pointers had five hits as a team, two of which were a double by Sean Gerber and a triple by Ryan Schilter.
After two early runs by the UW-Stevens Point in the bottom half of the first inning, the Gusties responded in the top of the third inning with two runs of their own, tying the game 2-2. Laureano followed a David Tranvik single with a ground-rule double that one-hopped over the left center field fence. Laureano proceeded to advance to third and Tranvik scored after a balk by Pointer pitcher Max Frederick. The Pointers responded quickly in the bottom-half of the third inning with what would turn out to be the game-winning run.
Gustie pitcher Kellan Euerle turned in a solid season-opening performance despite being credited with the loss. Euerle pitched a complete-game, throwing six full innings, allowing out five Pointer hits and giving up two earned runs while walking one batter and striking out four.
Game 2 – A run in the the first inning was all the Gusties could muster in game two of the doubleheader Sunday evening. Going into the top of the sixth it was a close 2-1 game, but the Pointers managed to score three runs in the top of the sixth, highlighted by a Ryan Schilter solo home-run that sparked the Pointer scoring in the inning.
Schilter led the way for the Pointers in game two, going 4-for-4 at the plate with a double, a home run, two RBI and two runs scored. The Pointers had a total of five extra-base hits on two doubles, two triples and Schilter’s homer. The Gusties had seven hits offensively but lacked the power they had in game one, recording no extra-base hits.
Chris Kelly made his collegiate-debut on the mound for the Gusties in game two. Kelly pitched five and 1/3 innings, giving up five Pointer hits, allowing three earned runs, walking three and striking out three. Erik Sveen and Kellan Euerle led the Gustie hitters, each going 2-for-3 from the plate with Sveen scoring the lone Gustie run.
Gustavus will return to the Metrodome next Sunday, March 11 to square off against Grand View University in a doubleheader, with the first pitch slated for 5:00 p.m.