TUCSON, Ariz. – The Gustavus softball team kicked off its spring trip in Tucson on Thursday with a 6-2 comeback victory over Denison, but suffered its first loss of the season in the second game of the day, falling 9-1 to UW-Eau Claire to move to 5-1 overall.
Gustavus 6, Denison 2 | BOX SCORE
Trailing 2-0 heading into the sixth inning, the Gusties exploded for five runs to take a lead they would not let go of. Denison scored a pair of runs in the third inning off three hits and an error. Three frames later, the Gusties responded with five runs on five hits and two errors in the top of the sixth.
Rachel Strandmark (So., New Ulm, Minn.) singled and went to third on an ensuing double off the bat of Kaitlyn Bicek (Sr., Northfield, Minn.). Nathalee Boissiere (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) then singled to score Strandmark. Jena Willis (Jr., Kalispell, Mt.) reached on an error, allowing Bicek to score for the second run. Hannah Heacox (Jr., Stillwater, Minn.) then came to the plate and belted the first home run of the season for the Gusties, giving them a 5-2 advantage.
Gustavus added an insurance run in the seventh inning after Strandmark singled, advanced to second on a passed ball, and later scored on a bases-loaded walk for a 6-2 lead, which stood for a final.
Strandmark led the Gusties at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two runs. Bicek (2-3, R, BB), Boissiere (2-4, R, RBI) and Heacox (1-2, R, 4 RBI, BB) were also productive at the plate.
Jessica Williams (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) earned the victory in relief, tossing three innings, allowing one hit and striking out one. Heacox started and pitched four innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and five strikeouts.
Gustavus 1, UW-Eau Claire 9
The second game of the day did not fare as well for the Gusties, falling 9-1 to the Blugolds for their first loss of the season. UW-Eau Claire scored a run in the first after a single, sacrifice and a double. Gustavus responded with a run in the second as Boissiere singled, advanced to second on a ground ball, and scored on a single by Rachel Malo (Jr., Owatonna, Minn.), but that would be all the offense for the Gusties as the Blugolds scored eight more runs to secure the decisive victory.
UW-Eau Claire added fours runs in the second, one in the third, and three in the fourth for a nine-run total in a five-inning contest.
Gustavus managed just five hits in the game, compared to 11 by the Blugolds. Willis suffered the loss after allowing six earned runs in three innings. She struck out two and gave up 10 hits. Williams tossed one frame with one hit.
Gustavus continues play at the Tucson Invite at 9 a.m. Friday against UW-La Crosse.