(photo courtesy of David Faulkner, SPX Sports)
MANKATO, Minn. – Playing for the first time in more than two weeks, the Gustavus softball team Wednesday split a non-conference doubleheader against Bethany Lutheran at the MSU-Mankato Dome, moving to 2-4 overall. The Gusties won game one 8-2 before dropping the nightcap 5-4.
Gustavus 8, Bethany 2 | BOX SCORE
The Gusties opened the doubleheader with a run in the first as Greta Dahlen (Fy., West Des Moines, Iowa) hit a two-out single to right and scored on a triple to right by Kaylyn Leonard (Sr., Plymouth). Gustavus took a 5-0 lead in the third after two hits and a pair of errors. Kayla Ruud (Jr., Savage) and Rachel Kawiecki (Fy., Richfield) were issued consecutive bases-loaded walks followed by a two-run single by Kenzie Skuza (Sr., Princeton).
The Gusties added a run in the sixth as Ruud singled to center and then tacked on two more in the seventh. Dahlen hit a sac fly to score Kate Murray (Jr., Minnetonka), and Madelyn Mueller (So., North Mankato) scored from third on a wild pitch.
Piper Otto (So., Brooklyn Park) cruised on the rubber through six innings, not allowing a run with just one hit and seven strikeouts. The Vikings scored two runs in the seventh off reliever Maria Aberle (Fy., Chaska), but the Gusties secured the win.
Mueller (3-5, 2 R) and Kenzie Skuza (3-4, 2 RBI) paced the offense, which totaled 12 hits in the game.
Gustavus 4, Bethany 5 | BOX SCORE
Bethany got out to an early lead with a pair of runs in the first after two walk, three stolen bases, and a hit. The Gusties cut the lead in half in the second as Payton Belt (So., Indianola, Iowa) singled home Leonard, who reached on a single.
The Vikings increased their lead to 4-1 in the bottom half of the second, scoring a pair of runs after three hits, but the Gusties had another answer by tying the score in the fourth frame on four hits. Ruud singled to scored Leonard followed by RBI doubles from Kawiecki and Kenzie Skuza.
After a scoreless fifth, the Vikings once again regained the lead with a run in the sixth on a two-out rally. Bethany was able to hold the Gusties scoreless in the last three innings to secure the victory.
Leonard (2-3, 2 R) and Kawiecki (2-3, R, RBI) led the team at the plate. Belt started the game and pitched 1.2 innings before giving way to Chloe Smallfield (Fy., Papillion, Neb.) for the next 2.2 frames. Smallfield did not give up a run with just one hit. Otto suffered the loss after allowing one run in the sixth.
Gustavus now travels to Florida where it will play 10 games March 20-25.