ST. PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus softball team earned two comeback victories for a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader sweep over Bethel University Sunday afternoon at Hollingsworth Field during the 50th season celebration.
The Gusties, now 8-17 overall and 4-7 in the MIAC, came back from three-run deficits in both games, headlined by a 5-4 walk-off win in game two in extra innings.
The Royals took an early lead in game one, tallying two runs in the first and one in the second off of Gustie starting pitcher Ashley Neuenfeldt (Fy., Bloomington, Minn.). However, from then on, the Gusties settled down and began a rally in the fifth.
Gustavus scored a pair of runs in each the fifth and sixth inning to claim a 4-3 lead and shut the door in the seventh for the one-run victory.
Back-to-back doubles in the fifth by Aly Freeman (So., Omaha, Neb.) and Neuenfeldt gave the home team its first score of the game prior to a Sidney Welp (So., St. Peter, Minn.) single that cut the deficit to 4-3.
The Black and Gold kept the rally going the following inning, scoring two more off of a hit and a Royal error. Caitlin Kammerer (So., Watertown, Minn.) led off the sixth with a base on balls and advanced into scoring position from a Marissa Marsolek (Fy., Savage, Minn.) sacrifice bunt. Kammerer scored the game-tying run on a throwing error and pinch runner Chanah Brandt (So., Mountain Lake, Minn.) gave the Gusties a 4-3 lead as she swiped home after a throw to second.
Despite a leadoff single for Bethel in the bottom half of the seventh, Neuenfeldt and the Gustie defense sent down the next three batters to seal the win. Neuenfeldt went the distance in the circle for her eighth complete game of the season while improving her record to 6-13.
Neuenfeldt (1-3, 1 R, 1 RBI), Welp (2-3, 1 RBI), and Freeman (2-3, 1 R) paced the Black and Gold at the plate.
In game two, the Gusties took the first lead of the game, in the first inning. Neuenfeldt posted a leadoff single, advanced to second from an Emily Webb (Jr., Maple Lake, Minn.) sacrifice, then scored from a Welp RBI single.
Bethel strung together five hits for three runs in the third inning and added another in the fifth to take a 4-1 lead while knocking out Gustie starting pitcher Neuenfeldt. Ariel Debeer (Fy., Luverne, Minn.) came into relieve and threw 2.1 scoreless innings.
In the bottom half of the fifth, Gustavus tied the game at 4-4 with three runs off three hits and one Bethel error. Freeman and Neuenfeldt first reached on a wild pitch and an error. Webb singled to score Freeman and then came around to score from a Kammerer double. Debeer then plated Welp on a fielder’s choice for the game-tying run.
Two scoreless innings would lead to an extra inning. Neuenfeldt came back in to pitch the eighth inning and sent the Royals down in order, setting up the Gusties for a chance to win in in the bottom half.
Pinch-hitter Jessica Neuman (Sr., Elk River, Minn.) led off the inning with a single to center. Kim Kurtzweg (Sr., Arlington, Minn.) pinch ran and scored the game-winning run off a sacrifice fly by Freeman.
Neuenfeldt earned her second-straight win, striking out five in 5.2 innings, moving her record to 7-13. Webb (3-3, 1 R, 1 RBI) and Sarah Pederson (So., Blaine, Minn.) (2-3) led the team at the plate.
“I am so proud of how we competed today,” said Head Coach Britt Stewart. “We played well defensively and our offense came alive when need be. Today’s games were a good confidence builder for everyone a good pair of team wins.”
Next Up
Tomorrow, the Gusties host another conference doubleheader versus St. Catherine University. Game one is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. start.