NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Gustavus softball team was shutout by scores of 2-0 and 1-0 in a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader Sunday afternoon at St. Olaf College.
Despite having two strong pitching performances from Hannah Heacox (Sr., Stillwater, Minn.) and Jena Willis (Sr., Kalispell, Mt.), the Gusties struggled at the plate as their record falls to 21-15 overall and 8-10 during MIAC play.
The Oles scored twice in the first inning off three hits and three Gustie errors while Julie Graf pitched a complete game shutout in game one.
Three early defensive errors proved to be costly as the Gustavus offense only managed two hits, both coming from Aly Freeman (Fy., Omaha, Neb.).
Heacox suffered the loss in the pitcher’s circle despite picking up eight strikeouts and no earned runs as her record falls to 11-9 on the season.
Game two was a very similar script as the Gustie offense was shut down again by Ole starting pitcher Julie Graf.
St. Olaf again capitalized on early mistakes as they plated the only run off the game off a hit and two Gustavus defensive errors to seal the 1-0 win.
Jena Willis went the distance on the rubber, giving up just three hits and no earned runs while recording the sole base hit at the plate for Gustavus as well.
The Gusties return to action on Tuesday afternoon as they travel to St. Paul, Minn. for a MIAC doubleheader with St. Catherine University. Game one is set for a 3:30 p.m. start.