Casey Lewandoski delivers a pitch in game one. (Photo courtesy of Natalie Rosenburg, SPX Sports)
ST. PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus baseball team shutout the Vikings of Bethany Lutheran College prior to dropping game two, splitting a non-conference doubleheader on Thursday at Gustie Baseball Field.
The Black and Gold allowed just two hits to the visitors in game one, earning their first shutout of the season in a pitcher’s duel and 2-0 victory before the bats broke out in game two in a 2-8 loss.
Gustavus 2, Bethany Lutheran 0 (Game One)
Sam Archer (Jr., Princeton, Minn.) and Casey Lewandoski (Sr., Fairbanks, Alaska) combined for the two-hit shutout in game one, allowing one hit each.
Archer improved his record to 2-0 on the season, starting the game on the mound and tossing five innings with seven strikeouts. Lewandoski then claimed his first save of the season, pitching the final two innings and tallying four K’s.
The Gusties posted one run each in the fifth and sixth inning. An RBI double by Ryan Moriarty (Jr., Le Sueur, Minn.) scored Dexter Leer (Jr., Owatonna, Minn.) in the fifth inning for the eventual game-winning run. Leer pinch ran for Ethan Mocchi (Fy., Champlin, Minn.) after he led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch.
In the following inning, Gustavus added another run off a Brock Peterson (Sr., Cannon Falls, Minn.) hit that advanced Carter Clemensen (Fy., Cologne, Minn.) into scoring position. Peterson and Clemensen then advanced on stolen bases prior to Clemensen scoring on an error.
Lewandoski sent down the Viking batters in order, striking out the last two to seal the 2-0 win in the seventh.
Bethany Lutheran 8, Gustavus 2 (Game Two)
A three-run third inning for BLC proved to be enough for the Vikings to salvage the series split as they limited the Gusties to two runs through the first three innings.
In the bottom half of the first, Gustavus earned its sole lead of the game. Moriarty led off with a single, setting up a sacrifice bunt by Cole Pengilly (Fy., Le Sueur, Minn.). The bases were then loaded while Peterson earned a RBI base on balls to give the Gusties a 1-0 advantage.
Christian Johnson (Fy., Buffalo, Minn.) started his third game of the season on the mound and was handed the loss after allowing three runs in two innings. Johnson ran into trouble in the second, walking two batters and allowing three hits as the visitors claimed a 3-1 lead.
Gustavus answered the next inning, recording another run off of three hits in the third. Clemensen led off with a single and advanced to second with a Peterson sacrifice bunt before heading to third on a wild pitch. A Mocchi single through the left side scored Clemensen to cut the deficit to 3-2.
Hunter Hamers came in to relieve Viking starting pitcher Anthony Radloff in the fourth inning and pitched four shutout innings to close out the game and earn the win, while the offense added five more runs in the 8-2 win.
Clemensen and Mocchi led the Black and Gold at the plate, each picking up three base hits.
Next Up
The Gusties, now 8-7 overall, head into Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play on Monday, hosting Macalester College at Gustie Baseball Field. Game one is scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. start.