ROCHESTER, Minn. – The Gustavus softball team opened its 2020 campaign Saturday and Sunday at the Rochester Regional Dome, splitting four games for a 2-2 record. The Gusties defeated Dominican 11-3 followed by a 4-3 loss to UW-Eau Claire on Saturday. On Sunday, the Gusties lost 3-2 to Luther but ensued with a decisive 11-1 victory over Mount Mary.
“Our first weekend together was a great opportunity to see the team compete,” Head Coach Britt Stewart said. “We played some tough competition and were able to get innings on the mound from our staff against quality opponents, produce throughout the lineup, and play tough defense. It gave us a great chance to see our 2020 team thus far, and we are excited to keep working this week in preparation for this weekend’s games.”
Gustavus 11, Dominican 3 | BOX SCORE
Dominican jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first but the Gusties answered with a six-run second frame and held the advantage for the rest of the game. The Gusties added solo runs in the third and fourth innings, followed by a three-run fifth.
Xandra Zachman (So., Saint Peter) led at the plate, batting 3-for-3 with three RBI and a sacrifice. Aly Freeman (Sr., Omaha, Neb.) (2-4, R, RBI, 2B), Emily Carlson (Sr., Burnsville) (2-3, R, RBI, 2B, BB), and Kaylyn Leonard (So., Plymouth) (2-3, R, RBI, 2B, SB) were also productive in the batter’s box.
Ashley Neuenfeldt (Jr., Bloomington) pitched all five innings, allowing one earned run on six hits with six strikeouts and three walks.
Gustavus 3, UW-Eau Claire 4 | BOX SCORE
The Gusties took an early 2-0 lead in the first as Neuenfeldt walked and later scored on an error. Kenzie Skuza (So., Princeton) then singled home Freeman for the second run.
The Blugolds answered with a pair of runs in the fourth on two hits and an error, but Gustavus responded in the bottom half as Caitlin Kammerer (Sr., Watertown) reached on an error and later scored on another error to take a 3-2 advantage.
UW-Eau Claire took the lead for good in the fifth with a pair of runs on a couple hits.
The Gusties were limited to just four hits in the game. Freeman took the loss in the circle, going five innings with two earned runs on six hits, four strikeouts, and five walks. Mackenzie Brey (Fy., Saint Peter) pitched the last two innings, allowing just one hits and striking out one.
Gustavus 2, Luther 3 | BOX SCORE
Three Luther runs in the first two innings proved to be enough to secure a victory as the Gusties were held to a two-run third inning.
The Norse gained a 1-0 lead in the first after a single, sacrifice, and a double. Two more runs came home in the second on four hits. The Gusties scored both of their runs in the third. Neuenfeldt singled and later scored on a throwing error. Freeman walked to reach base and later scored on double by Carlson.
Neuenfeldt led the team at the plate and on the mound. She batted 2-for-3 with a run and a stolen base. In the circle, she went all seven innings with three earned runs on 11 hits, three strikeouts, and three walks.
Gustavus 11, Mount Mary 1 | BOX SCORE
The Gusties broke a 1-1 tie by scoring 10 runs in the fifth inning. The 10-run frame featured 14 trips to the plate with four hits and three errors.
Neuenfeldt once again at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two runs, two doubles, and an RBI. Brey tossed all five innings, allowing one unearned run on one hits with eight strikeouts and two walks.
Gustavus next faces Luther (4 p.m.) and Ripon (6 p.m.) on Saturday in Rochester.