Shoreview, Minn. – The Gustavus softball team used a five-run inning in the second, then went into cruise control on its way to a 7-2 victory over Augsburg in the opening round of the MIAC Playoffs being held at the Rice Cree Fields. With the win, Gustavus advances to play St. Thomas in the second round of the MIAC Playoffs later today at 5:00 p.m.
The Auggies were the first to draw blood, scoring a run in the first inning on an error by freshman Kailey Morgan to go up 1-0.
After being blanked in the bottom of the first inning, the Gusties responded with five runs on six hits in the second. Junior MacKenzie Dalton tied the game at 1-1 with a one-run home run to kick off the scoring. The Gusties followed up Dalton’s homer with four-straight base hits to take a 2-1 lead. Lisa Klass capped off the hitting-run with the RBI. Sophomore Brittany Brenke drove in junior Kat Dahl with a sacrifice fly to center field (3-1) and Nosan also crossed home plate off an error on the play (4-1). Junior Jen Ulmen capped off inning with a single to bring home Carly Klass (5-1).
Gustavus starter junior Kate Rentschler held the Auggies scoreless for three innings after their run in the first. Augsburg would get a run back in the fifth inning when Kylee Persing singled to score Stephanie Saxe, cutting the lead to 5-2.
The Gusties answered in the bottom of the fifth, scoring two runs on two hits to bring the score to a final at 7-2. Kat Dahl continued her hitting tear with a one-run single, and junior Christina Riester later scored on an error by the Auggie left fielder. Kat Dahl is now 8-for-8 over the last three games, finishing the game 2-for-2 with a walk, a run, and a RBI.
Kate Rentschler (16-4) went the distance on the rubber, allowing two runs (one earned run) on eight hits. Amanda Eaton (8-11) suffered the loss after giving up five runs (four earned) on six hits.