TUCSON, Ariz. – The Gustavus baseball team wrapped up play at the Tucson Invite on Monday with a doubleheader split against Wesleyan (Conn.). The Cardinals (2-1) won game one 2-0 while the Gusties (2-6) claimed game two 5-2.
Gustavus 0, Wesleyan 2 | BOX SCORE
Game one of the twin bill proved to be a pitchers’ duel throughout. Mitch Casperson (Jr., Le Sueur) tossed three scoreless innings until the Cardinals broke through for a run in the fourth after a single and RBI double. Casperson left after the fifth, allowing one run on three hits with eight strikeouts.
Brevin Goetz (So., Rochester) pitched the final two frames, allowing one run on two hits with three strikeouts.
The Gusties were unable to plate a run against Patrick Murphy, who went the distance with just four hits allowed and six strikeouts.
Gustavus 5, Wesleyan 2 | BOX SCORE
The Gusties ended their trip to Tucson on a high note after jumping out to an early 1-0 advantage in the first and never gave up the lead.
Bryce Novak (Sr., Cleveland) started the game with a leadoff double and scored on a single by Gavin Baker (Sr., Lakeville).
Luke Siegle (So., Blaine) worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the first and went three more innings without an earned run. Siegle gave up four hits with four strikeouts to earn the win.
The Gusties went up 2-0 in the third as Tomas Nelson (Fy., Maplewood) reached on an error and later scored on a single by Novak. Wesleyan cut the lead in half in the third after a walk and two errors, but the Gusties got that run back in the fourth as Nelson hit a sac fly to score Chris Knowles (Jr., New Ulm).
The Cardinals made it a one-run game again in the sixth after an RBI single, but the Gusties increased their lead to 5-2 in the seventh. Baker hit a two-run single, scoring Novak and Jack Hanson (Sr., Minnetonka).
Damon Rademacher (Sr., Princeton) pitched the final three innings to pick up the save. Rademacher allowed one run on one hit with two strikeouts.
Gustavus is back in action over the weekend playing two doubleheaders at Washington University in St. Louis. Both doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday start at 11 a.m.