TUCSON, Ariz. – After nearly three weeks without playing a game, the Gustavus softball team won its first two games at the Tucson Invitational on Thursday, breaking out the bats with 23 combined runs and 23 hits. The Gusties defeated Dubuque 12-6 followed by an 11-3 win against Stevens Institute of Technology to improve to 3-3 on the season.
The Gusties scored the game’s first run in the opening frame and never trailed. Ashley Neuenfeldt (Fy., Bloomington, Minn.) scored on an Aly Freeman (So., Omaha, Neb.) single to start Gustavus’s highest offensive output this season. The Gusties took a 3-0 lead in the third as Sidney Welp (So., St. Peter, Minn.) tripled and scored on an error. Neuenfeldt later scored on a hit by Emily Webb (Jr., Maple Lake, Minn.).
Dubuque got two runs back in the bottom half on three hits, but the Gusties responded in the fourth with three runs on four hits, highlighted by doubles from Ashley Beise (Jr., Loretto, Minn.) and Neuenfeldt, and a triple by Jessica Neuman (Sr., Elk River, Minn.). Dubuque didn’t go quietly and ensued with two runs in the bottom half to make it a two-run game entering the fifth.
Gustavus broke the game open in the fifth with another three-run frame, highlighted by a two-RBI single by Kim Kurtzweg (Sr., Arlington, Minn.). Dubuque scored solo runs in the sixth and seventh innings, but the Gusties tacked on another three in the seventh on three hits and four errors.
Freeman (2-3, 2 R, RBI, BB), Emily Carlson (So., Burnsville, Minn.) (2-4), and Kurtzweg (2-3, R, 2 RBI, BB) led the team at the plate with two hits apiece. Ariel Debeer (Fy., Luverne, Minn.) went six and two-thirds innings on the mound, allowing three earned runs on four hits with three strikeouts and four walks.
Gustavus 11, Stevens Institute 3
The Gusties rolled their momentum over into the second game of the day, getting off to a hot start with three runs in the first and seven in the second. Freeman hit a two-run single in the first, while the second frame feature three home runs – one each from Sarah Pederson (So., Blaine, Minn.), Welp, and Caitlin Kammerer (So., Watertown, Minn.). Gustavus posted six hits in the second frame, five of which were extra-base hits.
After three scoreless frames, the Black and Gold added their final run of the day in the sixth as Welp tripled and crossed home on an error. Freeman went the distance in the circle, allowing three runs on seven hits with three strikeouts and a walk to earn her first victory of the season. Welp led the team at the dish, going 3-for-4 with three runs and an RBI.
The Gusties face Dubuque again tomorrow at 1 p.m., immediately followed by Case Western Reserve.
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2 responses to “Softball Breaks Out The Bats In Day One Of Tucson Invitational”
GREAT GAMES GUSTIES, WISHING YOU THE VERY BEST THE REST OF THE SEASON
We drove down from Phoenix for the Gustie’s opening twinbill. Despite a late arrival the day before and a pretty stiff wind the team looked (and sounded) great both on the field and from the dugout. Good stuff–and a lot of Gustie fans around us. Keep it up, but more importantly, have fun!