TUCSON, Ariz. – The Gustavus softball team continued play in Tucson, Ariz. on Friday and came away with two victories. They first defeated Saint Mary’s (Ind.) 9-2 before rallying late to beat Mount Mary 2-1. The Gusties improve to 6-4 on the season with the wins.
“Collectively we got the job done today with effective pitching, timely hitting, and tough defense,” said Head Coach Britt Stewart. “We have been able to see production throughout our lineup which will be vital to our success this season. All three pitchers were able to stay consistent and pound the strike zone, and our team is starting to get used to playing together defensively. We’re proud of the outcome today and looking forward to more games on Sunday.”
Gustavus 9 – 2 Saint Mary’s (Ind.)
In game one on the day, the Gusties jumped out early and were able to get to the Saint Mary’s pitching staff, forcing three pitching changes in the first three innings. After the Belles got a run in the top of the first, the Gusties responded putting a five spot on the board in the bottom half. The Gusties were the beneficiaries of two walks, a Saint Mary’s error, as well as a fielders choice that didn’t produce an out for the visitors. The Gusties got an RBI single in the inning from Kenzie Skuza (Fy., Princeton, Minn.) and then a two-out double from Sydney Swenson (Fy., Chaska, Minn.) that drove in two other Gustie runs.
The scoring didn’t stop there for the Black and Gold as they were able to score two more runs in both the second and third innings to all but seal the deal. In the second, Emily Carlson (Jr., Burnsville, Minn.) doubled and advanced on a throwing error to score, then Caitlin Kammerer, (Jr., Watertown, Minn.) tripled and was driven in by Ashley Neuenfeldt (So., Bloomington, Minn.) . In the third, Skuza and Marissa Marsolek (So., Savage, Minn.) reached base to start the inning and were later driven home by a two RBI single by Carlson.
Aly Freeman (Jr., Omaha, Neb.) got the win on the mound, going five innings, allowing two runs, and striking out four. Amara Packey (Fy., Fridley, Minn.) pitched the last two innings, allowing no runs on just one hit.
Game two was a pitchers duel as there were just five total hits in the contest. Neuenfeldt was one half of the duel and she took home the victory on the mound, going seven innings, allowing one hit and no earned runs while striking out six.
Mount Mary scored in the top of the first thanks to a Gustie error and would hold that lead until the fourth inning. In the fourth, Freeman led off the inning with a single, stole second, and was later driven in by a two-out double by Marsolek to even the score. Then in the fifth, the Gusties took advantage of a Blue Angel error to start the inning with Kammerer capping off her solid day at the plate with an RBI single which proved to be the game-winning hit.
The Gusties will have Saturday off before they take on Central and UW-Plateville on Sunday with contests starting at 9 a.m. MST and 11 a.m. MST.