The Gustavus softball team kicked off the week with a sweep over St. Olaf on Monday afternoon in Northfield. Gustavus won game one by the score 8-3 and game two by the score of 8-0. With the wins, Gustavus improves to 8-0 in MIAC play and 17-5 overall, while St. Olaf falls to 3-5 in the MIAC and 11-15 overall with the losses.
Game One
After St. Olaf took an early 2-0 lead with two runs in the bottom of the first inning, Gustavus responded three runs in the top of the third inning to go up 3-2. Lisa Klass singled to bring in Kat Dahl, and Kailey Morgan singled to score both Klass and Shelby Nosan in the inning.
After two scoreless frames, Gustavus put up five runs in the top of the fifth inning to grab an 8-2 lead. Morgan and Kate Rentschler recorded one-run singles to put the Gusties on top 5-2, and Carly Klass later doubled to bring across Shelby Nosan, Dahl, and Christina Riester for a six-run lead.
St. Olaf added a run in the sixth to bring the score to a final at 8-3.
Kate Rentschler picked up the win on the rubber, going six innings and allowing three runs on five hits. Rentschler struck out eight batters (matching her season-high) to improve to 9-2 overall on the season.
Game Two
The Gusties ran away with game two, earning the eight-run-rule after five innings and getting a strong pitching performance from Sarah Rozell. Rozell allowed just one hit against 16 batters in the contest. She walked two and struck out one.
After taking a 1-0 lead after Jen Ulmen drove in Lisa Klass with a sacrifice fly in the first inning, Gustavus added three runs in the top of the third to go up 5-0. Ulmen scored one on an RBI single, Rozell brought in two runs with a base hit, and Sam Breneman also drove in a run with a base hit inside the inning.
The Gusties kept the pressure on in the top of the fourth inning, scoring three runs on three hits. Brittany Brenke singled then later scored on an error by the St. Olaf right fielder. Rozell drove in Kailey Morgan with a single, and Sam Breneman drew a walk to bring across Ulmen for Gustavus’ final run of the game.
Lisa Klass finished 3-for-4 with two runs and two doubles, while Rozell went 2-for-3 with a run and three RBI.
The Gustavus softball team will be back on the diamond Wednesday, April 11 when it hosts Macalester at 3:30 p.m. at the Gustie Softball Field. Wednesday’s doubleheader is designated as “Professor Day,” as the Gustavus softball players have invited many of their professors to the ballpark to enjoy the games.