TUCSON, Ariz. – The Gustavus softball team dropped a pair of games Friday at the Tucson Invitational. The Gusties lost 11-3 to Dubuque and then dropped a 13-2 decision to Case Western Reserve to move to 3-5 overall.
In a rematch of yesterday’s game, Dubuque got revenge in an 11-3 decision. The Gusties got off to a hot start with three runs in the first inning, but the Spartans responded with 11 unanswered runs.
Emily Webb (Jr., Maple Lake, Minn.) knocked in the first run of the game with a double to score Sidney Welp (So., St. Peter, Minn.). Aly Freeman (So., Omaha, Neb.) ensued with another double to score Webb, and Ashley Beise (Jr., Loretto, Minn.) plated Freeman with a single.
After a scoreless second inning, Dubuque scored four runs in the third, which proved to be enough. The Spartans added insurance runs in the fifth (one), sixth (four), and seventh (two) to complete the eight-run difference.
Welp (2-4, R) and Webb (2-4, R, RBI) led the Gusties at the plate. Freeman suffered the loss in the circle, allowing six earned runs on nine hits with a strikeout and four walks.
Gustavus 2, Case Western Reserve 13
Playing as the home team, the Gusties matched a one-run first frame by Case Western Reserve and the score stood at 1-1 after two innings, but the Spartans put up crooked numbers in the third, fourth, sixth, and seventh innings for the convincing 11-run decision.
The first run for the Black and Gold was scored by Welp as she singled, advanced to third on a sacrifice, and crossed home on a passed ball. The second run was plated in the sixth frame. Freeman singled and later scored on a sac fly by Beise.
Emily Carlson (So., Burnsville, Minn.) led the team at the plate, going 3-for-3. Ashley Neuenfeldt (Fy., Bloomington, Minn.) suffered the loss after six and two-thirds innings. She allowed 10 earned runs on 14 hits with two Ks and four walks.
Gustavus returns to action Saturday at the Tucson Invite as it takes on Valley City State at 11 a.m. and then Bellevue immediately after.