SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus softball team suffered a doubleheader sweep against Bethel on Saturday afternoon, losing 6-2 and 11-3. The Gusties fall to 7-11 overall and 2-2 in the MIAC, while the Royals improve to 16-2 overall and 5-0 in the league.
Gustavus 2, Bethel 6 | BOX SCORE
Bethel took an early 1-0 lead in the first after a bunt single, stolen base, and an RBI fielder’s choice, but the the Gusties answered immediately in the bottom half as Madelyn Mueller (So., North Mankato) took the first pitch she saw over the left field fence for her first career home run.
The Royals regained a one-run lead in the third after a couple hits and an error, and then extended the gap to 5-1 in the fourth. Kayla Ruud (Jr., Savage) tallied her first career home run in the fourth but that was all the Gustavus offense could muster. Bethel added an insurance run in the sixth and held on for the 6-2 final.
Chloe Smallfield (Fy., Papillion, Neb.) suffered her first loss of the season after tossing three innings, allowing one earned run on four hits and a pair of strikeouts. Payton Belt (So., Indianola, Iowa) threw the final four innings with one earned run on four hits and two strikeouts. The Gusties had four different players each have one hit.
Gustavus 3, Bethel 11 (6 inn.) | BOX SCORE
Bethel rolled its momentum into the second game, scoring one run in the first, three in the second, and four in the fourth for a comfortable 8-0 lead. The Gusties broke the shutout in the fourth as Rachel Kawiecki (Fy., Richfield) led off with a single up the middle, advanced to third on a double by Kaylyn Leonard (Sr., Plymouth), and scored on a Shelby Ringlewski (Fy., Forest Lake) single.
Bethel added a run in the fifth for a 9-1 lead and the Gusties responded in the bottom half with two runs. Leonard hit an RBI single to score Mueller, and Kawiecki scored on an error. The Royals eclipsed the mercy rule with two more runs in the sixth and held the Gusties scoreless in the bottom half for the eight-run win.
Piper Otto (So., Brooklyn Park) took the pitching loss after three and one-thirds innings. She allowed four earned runs on eight hits and one strikeout. Amara Packey (Sr., Fridley) closed the game with three earned runs on five hits and two strikeouts. Kawiecki (2-2, 2 R, BB) and Leonard (2-3, RBI, 2B) led the offense.
Gustavus travels to Saint Ben’s tomorrow.