SAINT PETER, MINN. – The Gustavus Adolphus baseball team’s offensive struggles continued on Saturday, as it was swept by Bethel University by scores of 9-0 and 3-0 at the Gustie Baseball Field. With the pair of losses, Gustavus falls to 3-9 in the MIAC and 9-18 overall, while Bethel improves to an MIAC-best 10-2 in the conference and 22-5 overall.
GAME ONE: Bethel 9, Gustavus 0
Bethel became the first team this season to score more than three earned runs against Gustie ace Grant Soderberg (Sr., Eden Prarie, Minn.), as it forced Soderberg out after he gave up five earned runs in five innings pitched.
The Royals went to work immediately, as they scored runs in the first and second innings to take an early 2-0 lead going into the third. Bethel then broke the game open in the fifth, as it took advantage of two Gustavus errors and walks to score four runs off of just one hit to make the score 6-0 in favor of the visitors.
The Royals then tacked on three more runs in the seventh to make it a 9-0 game. Bethel pitcher Joe Zorn earned his fifth win of the season after throwing all seven innings and giving up just four Gustavus hits. Zorn walked one and struck out eight.
GAME TWO: Bethel 3, Gustavus 0
Game two proved to be a much tighter affair, as neither team brought across a run until the seventh inning. After throwing six scoreless innings, Gustie senior starter Michael Strelow (Braham, Minn.) ran into trouble in the seventh, as he began the inning with two walks that were able to advance to second and third after a passed ball. Then, the Royals’ Esteban Velasco hit a two-run double to give Bethel all it would need for the sweep and to earn its MIAC-best 10th conference victory.
Jake Hanzalik earned the win for Bethel after pitching five scoreless innings. He gave up two hits, five walks and struck out five. Strelow suffered his fourth loss of the season to move to 2-4 after giving up two runs, two walks and striking out six.
—
Isaiah Welckle (So., Minneapolis, Minn.) led Gustavus at the dish on the day. The sophomore went 2-4 with three walks after being inserted into the leadoff spot for the first time this season.
Gustavus will look to get back in a groove on Tuesday when it welcomes Concordia College to St. Peter for a doubleheader beginning at 2:30 p.m. at the Gustie Baseball Field.