St. Paul – The Gustavus Adophus baseball team suffered a sweep at the hands of Hamline University on Sunday afternoon at Midway Stadium. The Pipers defeated the Gusties 6-3 in game one, then scored a run in the bottom of the ninth inning in game two to come away with the sweep via a 5-4 win. Gustavus drops to 5-11 overall and 2-6 in the MIAC, while Hamline improves to 9-8 overall and 3-4 in the MIAC.
Game One Recap
Gustavus grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning when Logan Peymann (Jr., Fairmont, Minn.) scored on an infield ground ball with the bases loaded.
Hamline responded with a run in the bottom half of the inning and then added two more runs in the bottom of the third to grab a 3-1 lead. Jacob Picht singled to bring in Harley Thompson in the second inning, and Thompson doubled to left field to score Dan Moro and Matt Connell in the third.
The Pipers kept the pressure on and poured on three runs on four hits in the bottom of the fourth inning. Jimmy Kiefer recorded a two-run single to left, and Moro brought in the other run with a single to center.
The Gusties came up with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, yet could not close the gap any further. After two quick outs, Sam Warner (So., Chanhassen, Minn.), Peymann, and Max Fidler (Jr., Lino Lakes, Minn.) loaded the bases on three consecutive walks. David Tranvik (Sr., Robbinsdale, Minn.) delivered with a single up the middle, bringing across Warner and Peymann.
Gustavus starter Chris Kelly (Jr., Savage, Minn.) suffered the loss, dropping him to 1-2 on the season. He allowed six runs on eight hits in four innings. Steven Zehms (Jr., Sherburn, Minn.) pitched the remaining two scoreless innings and allowed one hit.
Hamline starter Matt Connell earned the win after going five and two-thirds innings. He allowed three runs (two earned) on one hit and registered five strikeouts.
Game Two Recap
In game two, the Gusties once again grabbed an early 1-0 lead with a run in the top of the first inning. Josh Chatfield (Fr., Apple Valley, Minn.) and Taylor Bigandt (So., Littleton, Colo.) set the table with singles, and Chatfield later scored on an infield ground ball hit by David Tranvik.
Hamline responded to the Gustavus lead with a run in the bottom of the second and three more runs in the bottom of the third, taking a 4-1 advantage into the fourth.
The Gusties bounced back with three runs on three hits two innings later in the fifth. Danny Carlson (Fr., Plymouth, Minn.) reached second base on a throwing error and later scored when Cody Christensen (So., Luverne, Minn.) singled to right center. Bigandt brought the inning’s scoring to a close when he plated both Christensen and Scott Benjamin (Sr., Northfield, Minn.) with a double down the right field line.
After three complete scoreless innings, Hamline was able to break through with a run in the bottom of the ninth. The winning run was recorded when Even Cordell singled to left field to bring in Cody Berumen.
Bigandt and Christensen led Gustavus at the plate. Bigandt finished 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI, while Christensen went 2-for-3 with a run and a RBI.
Gustie starter Justin Cunningham (Jr., Red Wing, Minn.) had a quality outing, allowing four runs (two earned) on three hits in seven complete innings of work. Michael Strelow (Jr., Braham, Minn.) suffered the loss, allowing the game-winning run in the ninth. He went one and two-thirds innings and allowed two hits.
Hamline’s Rob Miller was credited with the win after allowing no runs and three hits over the final four innings of the game. Starter Matt Eickman allowed four runs (zero earned) on six hits through five innings.
The Gustavus baseball team will be back on the diamond Wednesday, April 16 when it hosts Macalester College in a doubleheader beginning at 2:30 p.m.