NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Gustavus softball team dropped a pair of contests to St. Olaf on Wednesday by scores of 1-0 and 5-3. With the losses the Gusties move to 11-9 overall and 2-4 in the MIAC while the Oles move to 14-6 overall and 4-0 in conference play.
In game one the Gusties could not muster a hit off of former MIAC Pitcher of the Year Julia Graf. The Gusties got three chances with runners in scoring position in the contest but could not get the timely hit they needed. In the final inning Gustavus took three of its six walks in the game to load the bases but a strikeout ended the contest.
The Oles scored their lone run of the contest in the fifth inning thanks to a hit and a pair of Gustie errors.
Aly Freeman (Jr., Omaha, Neb.) took the loss in game one, pitching six innings, allowing just four hits, no earned runs, while striking out six. Ashley Beise (Sr., Loretto, Minn.) was the lone Gustie to reach base multiple times as she had two walks.
In game two the Oles jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after the first inning in similar fashion to their lone run in game one as they got a hit and were helped out by two Gustie errors to take the lead. St. Olaf would strike again in the third when they rattled off three singles to plate another run and take a 2-0 lead. After the first two batters in the bottom of the fourth made outs for the Oles, they then got two hits and a pair of walks to score two more runs and take a 4-0 lead.
The Gusties scored their first run of the day in the sixth when Amara Packey (Fy., Fridley, Minn.) drew a two out walk, Marissa Marsolek (So., Savage, Minn.) singled to push Packey to third, then Marsolek stole second and a throwing error by the catcher brought Packey in. The Oles responded with a run in the sixth before the Gusties made their last push in the seventh. Caitlin Kammerer (Jr., Watertown, Minn.) drew a walk, Ashley Neuenfeldt (So., Bloomington, Minn.) doubled and Freeman doubled to plate two runs for the Gusties and make it a 5-3 game. Game two ended in similar fashion to game one as a pair of walks then loaded the bases for the Black and Gold before a strikeout ended the contest.
Marsolek led the Gusties in game two with three hits while Neuenfeldt had a pair of hits to go along with an RBI and a run scored.
Neuenfeldt suffered the loss on the mound in the contest, going three and two-thirds innings, allowing three earned runs, while striking out four. Packey pitched the final two and one-third innings and allowed one earned run on three hits.
The Gusties will next be in action on Saturday when they travel to Saint Benedict for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.
Super impressed in game one. Came to the game in the fourth inning. 0-0 tie. Julie Graf on the mound is tough. You showed grit getting on base anyway you could. Very hard to hit off Julie. Aly Freeman was killing it for you. She was nearly pitch for pitch with Graf. Keep your heads high and confidence up. Let no loss define a moment or game.
Game two was a different vibe. Our batters were a bit shell shocked from game one, but the bats started to show up. I can, I will, I do confidence will turn things around.