COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – The Gustavus baseball team put up a good effort Saturday in game one against Saint John’s, but lost 7-6 in extra innings before falling by a convincing score of 16-3 in the nightcap. With the sweep, the Gusties fall to 9-13 overall and 2-6 in the MIAC, while the Johnnies improve to 18-8 overall and 6-3 in the league.
Gustavus 6, Saint John’s 7 (9 inn.) | BOX SCORE
The Johnnies had an answer for nearly every scoring opportunity the Gusties capitalized on with the biggest response coming in the ninth. With the game tied 4-4 after eight innings, Gustavus took a two-run lead in the ninth on a two-out rally. Neil Engler (Sr., Lakeville, Minn.) singled followed by a home run off the bat of Cody Christensen (Sr., Luverne, Minn.). But the Johnnies played copycat in the bottom half as Patrick Strey hit a walk-off three-run homer to end it.
Jacob Volness (Sr., Cokato, Minn.) started and lasted six and one-third innings. He allowed four earned runs on nine hits with three strikeouts. Casey Lewandoski (So., Fairbanks, Alaska) suffered the loss after two and one-third innings of relief. Lewandoski allowed three earned runs on five hits.
Isaiah Welckle (Jr., Minneapolis, Minn.) continued to swing a hot bat, going 3-for-4 with a run, RBI, and a walk.
After a scoreless first inning the Gusties took a 2-0 lead in the second. Sam Warner (Sr., Chanhassen, Minn.) walked and later stole home for the first run of the game. Joe Melles (Sr., Hopkins, Minn.) then singled to left to score Brock Peterson (So., Cannon Falls, Minn.) who singled.
The Johnnies cut the deficit to one run on the bottom half with a solo shot to center field. Saint John’s then tied the game in the third on a pair of hits.
Gustavus regained the lead, 3-2, in the fifth after Welckle singled up the middle and scored on a double off the bat of Josh Chatfield (Jr., Apple Valley, Minn.). The Black and Gold added another run in the seventh after Welckle connected for an RBI single to plate Engler. But with their backs against the wall, the Johnnies came through to tie the game in the bottom half on four hits to send the game to extras, setting up the heartbreaking walk-off loss.
Gustavus 3, Saint John’s 16 | BOX SCORE
The Johnnies rolled their momentum into game two with seven runs after the first two innings and finished with 20 hits. Adam Stockwell (Fy., Apple Valley, Minn.) suffered the loss after a tough outing. He went one and one-third innings with seven earned runs on nine hits. Jacob Braun (Jr., Wayzata, Minn.), Kyle Pinke (Jr., St. James, Minn.), Sam Archer (Fy., Zimmerman, Minn.), and Josh Forst (Fy., Winona, Minn.) all saw time on the mound in relief.
Peterson led the Gusties at the plate, batting 2-for-3 with a run. Matt Berkner (Fy., Sleepy Eye, Minn.) got one pinch hit and took advantage with a solo home run, the first of his collegiate career.
Gustavus next travels to New Ulm, Minn. on Monday for a non-conference doubleheader against Martin Luther.