TUCSON, Ariz. – The Gustavus baseball team concluded its spring trip Wednesday at the Tucson Invitational with a pair of wins. The Gusties beat Williams 16-7 in the first game followed by a 5-3 victory over Middlebury to improve to 5-7 overall.
Gustavus 16, Williams 7 | BOX SCORE
After trailing 2-0 in the first inning, the Gusties busted out for eight runs in the second frame and controlled the game the rest of the way. The second inning was highlight by five hits, including a two-run double by Cody Christensen (Sr., Luverne, Minn.), two-run triple by Josh Chatfield (Jr., Apple Valley, Minn.), and a two-run single by Brock Peterson (So., Cannon Falls, Minn.).
Gustavus extended its lead to 10-2 in the third on a trio of hits. Chatfield, Dan Carlson (Jr., Plymouth, Minn.), and John Lundquist (So., Rochester, Minn.) all singled in the inning. Williams added one run in the third, another in the fifth, and three in the sixth, but it wasn’t enough to dig out of the early deficit.
Gustavus tacked on to its lead with two runs in the fifth, one in the sixth, and three more in the seventh for its 16-run total, all driven in via an RBI. The Gusties amassed 16 hits as well.
Sam Warner (Sr., Chanhassen, Minn.) finished the day 3-for-4 at the plate with four RBI, two runs, and was a home run shy of the cycle. Chatfield (3-6, 3 R, 2 RBI) and Peterson (3-6, R, 3 RBI) also connected for three hits apiece.
Connor Kern (Jr., Hutchinson, Minn.) earned the win after six innings of work. He allowed six earned runs on 14 hits with one strikeout and zero walks. Adam Stockwell (Fy., St. Paul, Minn.) closed out the final three frames. He didn’t allow a run and gave up just one hit with five strikeouts and two walks.
Gustavus 5, Middlebury 3 | BOX SCORE
The Gusties once again trailed early, 1-0 after the first, but responded with three runs in the second. Lundquist singled, followed by consecutive walks to Logan Thomas (Jr., Lake City, Minn.) and Matt Berkner (Fy., Sleepy Eye, Minn.). Chatfield ensued with a two-run single, and Isaiah Welckle (Jr., Minneapolis, Minn.) backed that up with an RBI single.
Middlebury made it a one-run game in the third after two hits and an error, and then tied the game in the fifth after a pair of hits.
In the sixth inning, Gustavus regained the lead with two runs after one hit and two walks. Berkner recorded an RBI groundout to score Peterson and Chatfield followed with a single to score Thomas, who reached base on a walk.
Jacob Volness (Sr., Cokato, Minn.) tossed a strong eight innings to earn his first win of the season. He allowed two earned runs on seven hits with six strikeouts and one walk. Jacob Braun (Jr., Wayzata, Minn.) earned the first save of the season as he closed out the ninth without allowing a hit.
Chatfield led the Gusties at the plate, going 2-for-4 with three RBI.
Gustavus hosts its home opener at 2:30 p.m. Monday against Martin Luther.