SAINT PETER, Minn. — It’s safe to say Friday’s doubleheader against Macalester was a whirlwind for the Gusties. Game one started in a heavy heat, sunny and 81 at the Gustie Softball Field. The Scots took an early lead, but the Gusties battled back and tagged the game-tying run out at home to win the game in the top of the seventh, 7-6.
The start of game two brought a 30-degree drop and overcast skies, eventually halting the game at the bottom of the fifth with a 5-3 Gustie advantage, with the coaches leaving the game to be finished at a later date. The conference office later declared the game to be a final score, giving the Gusties a 3-5 record in the MIAC.
Gustavus 7, Macalester 6 | BOX SCORE
The Scots got on the board first in the only complete game of the day, scoring three runs on three RBI singles for a 3-0 lead in the second. The Gusties, determined to even the score, picked up two of their own thanks to the efforts of Greta Dahlen (So., West Des Moines, Iowa), who belted a two-run double through the left side to bring the Gusties within one.
Macalester added one more in the fourth, taking advantage of a Gustie error to get a runner on base, who eventually scored on a fielder’s choice for a 4-2 lead. Macalester held the Gusties at bay until the bottom of the fifth. Shelby Ringwelski (So., Forest Lake) and Dahlen both picked up walks to set up a scoring opportunity for Kayla Ruud (Sr., Savage). Ruud singled to left, scoring Ringwelski. A costly error by the Scots scored Dahlen and advanced Ruud to third. A double up the middle from Kate Murray (Sr., Chanhassen) sent fellow senior Ruud home for the first Gustie lead of the day, 5-4.
The Scots regained their lead shortly after, scoring on two RBI singles through the middle to take a 6-5 advantage in the sixth. Returning the favor, the Gusties rallied in the sixth, starting with a single and a stolen base from Kayla Herda (So., Farmington) to get in scoring position. Ringwelski led a two-out rally, singling through the left side to score Herda and bring the tally even at 6-6. And, just as she was at the start of the game, Dahlen was clutch at the plate, sending a single to center, scoring the eventual game-winner for a 7-6 Gustie lead.
The Scots threatened the Gustie advantage in the top of the seventh, putting a runner on second with only one out. Herda ended the game with the defensive play of the day, making an impressive throw from deep left to Ringwelski who tagged the tying run out at home to give the Gusties their second MIAC victory.
Dahlen finished the day going 2-for-3 with a run, a walk, and three RBI to pace the Gusties, while Ringwelski finished the day 2-for-2 with two runs, a walk, and one RBI. Piper Otto (Jr., Brooklyn Park) added another win to her column, pitching the complete game, allowing six runs on 13 hits.
Gustavus 5, Macalester 3 | BOX SCORE
Both teams played scoreless through inning one before the Scots took the early lead in the second on an RBI single for a 1-0 advantage. The Gusties, eager for another MIAC victory, responded in impressive fashion, scoring four in the bottom of the inning. Dahlen started a two-out rally with a single to center, and advanced to second after Ruud was hit by a pitch. Olivia Lewis (Fy., Bloomington) sent an RBI single through the left side to score Dahlen. Two costly errors score the final three Gustie runs of the inning, allowing Gustavus to take a 4-1 lead heading into the third.
Macalester closed the gap in the third, scoring two runs, one on an RBI single and the other on a Gustie error. The Gusties tacked on one more for good measure, as an RBI single from Olivia Guggenberger (Fy., Rosemount) scored pinch runner Taylor Katzenmeyer (Fy., Hopkins).
Three different Gusties finished each of the team’s hits in game two, as Guggenberger, Dahlen, and Lewis all led the way. Lewis additionally picked up a run and an RBI, while Guggenberger added an RBI for herself as well. Marah Hulke (Fy., Courtland) picked up the first MIAC victory of her career, pitching all five innings, allowing three runs on seven hits in 22 at-bats.
While the game was originally halted with intention to finish later in the season, the MIAC office deemed the game complete the next week, giving the Gusties their third conference win of the year.