TUCSON, Ariz. – The Gusties continued to heat up in Tucson on Saturday afternoon, topping Carthage 11-1 after seven innings. With the win, the Gusties improve to 8-2 on the season.
Newcomer Lane Glaser (Jr., Hutchinson) had a dominant performance in his first Gustie start pitching six innings, striking out nine batters, allowing four hits, and three walks.
In the top of the first Gavin Baker (Jr., Lakeville) got the Gusties started with a triple to score Jack Hanson (Sr., Minnetonka) and Drake Siens (So., Rogers). A Nick Azar (Sr., Edina) sac fly brought home Baker for an early 3-0 lead.
Moving to the bottom of the first, Glaser set the tone for the game, striking out a Carthage batter and leaving runners stranded. Glaser remained solid for the Gusties with a 1-2-3 second inning before a scoreless third inning on both fronts.
Glaser added on two more K’s in the fourth inning to keep the Firebird runners grounded.
In the top of the fifth, the Gusties strung together three runs off of a Siens triple, and RBI singles from Hanson and Azar to extend the lead to 6-0.
Gustavus plated two more runs in the sixth highlighted by an RBI double from Hanson to extend the advantage, 8-0.
Carthage got on the board in the top of the seventh before Mitch Casperson (So., Le Sueur) fired off a two-run RBI double for the 11-1 final.
Sam Baker (Fy., Lakeville) provided relief in the final inning with a pair of strikeouts.
The Gusties will next play Concordia University Wisconsin at 9 a.m. on Sunday.