PHOTO GALLERY (VS. UW-EAU CLAIRE)
ROCHESTER, Minn. – The Gustavus softball team split two games Friday, moving its overall record to 3-1 as they fell 9-1 against the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire before defeating the University of Dubuque 6-5.
“We struggled game one, on the mound, at the plate and in our all around energy,” Head Coach Britt Stewart said. “Eau Claire’s pitcher pitched a great game, and we didn’t make adjustments. They were able to execute with runners on and make the plays.”
UW-Eau Claire 9, Gustavus 1 (5 inn.) (Box Score)
Hannah Heacox (Sr., Stillwater, Minn.) started the game on the rubber and gave up eight earned runs while posting five strike outs.
After UW-Eau Claire took a 1-0 lead in the third, the Gustavus answered with a run of their own in the fourth to knot the game at 1-1. Heacox singled for the team’s first hit of the game before she scored on a RBI double from Aly Freeman (Fy., Omaha, Neb.).
The Gusties suffered their first loss of the season to the No. 14-ranked Blugolds in a five inning game. UW-Eau Claire scored nine runs off six hits, forcing two errors to outmatch Gustavus.
Gustavus 6, Dubuque 5 (8 inn.) (Box Score)
The Gustavus offense bounced back in game two of the doubleheader to post its highest base hit total of the year with 10.
“Game two was a different level of energy, more selective hitting, and a solid first career pitching performance by freshman Aly Freeman,” Stewart said. “Hannah Heacox bounced back from game one and was able to close game two. Our hitting came together and we were able to execute to win the game. Big hits from Hannah, Aly and Ashley Biese with the game winner. The team had a lot of fight in them today which is awesome to see this early in the season. They are able to bounce back after facing adversity, which as a coach you love to see.”
Four Gusties posted multi-hit games, led by a 3-3 performance from Aly Freeman. In addition, Heacox posted two hits as well as two hits from Ashley Beise (So., Loretto, Minn.) and Rachel Malo (Sr., Owatonna, Minn.).
Freeman started the game on the rubber, earning her first collegiate start. She went 5.1 innings and gave up three earned runs. With the game tied at 5-5 after six innings, Heacox came in to relieve on the mound before the game headed into extra innings.
In the bottom of the eighth, Heacox reached base on a fielder’s choice prior to a double from Freeman, advancing Heacox to third. She then scored the game-winning run on an RBI single from Beise.
Heacox grabbed the win, allowing just one Dubuque hit in the final 2.2 innings while picking up four strikeouts.
The Gusties are set for another doubleheader tomorrow in Rochester, playing Dubuque again at 6 p.m., followed by a matchup with Grinnell College at 8 p.m.