Logan Bjorkman hits a grand slam. (photo courtesy of Jim Lund)
LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Gustavus baseball team Wednesday took down No. 25 UW-La Crosse 8-4, improving to 18-9 overall. The win was the fifth straight for the Gusties as they have now won 15 of their last 16 games.
Gustavus started the game with a run in the first inning. Bryce Novak (Sr., Cleveland) walked and later scored on an infield single by Drake Siens (Jr. Rogers).
The Gusties went up 2-0 in the third as Novak led off with a single and later scored on a fielding error in center.
Three scoreless frames went by until the Gusties plated plated four runs in the seventh on a grand slam from Logan Bjorkman (Sr., Lindstrom), marking his third homer of the season. Gustavus added two more runs in the eighth as Gavin Baker (Sr., Lakeville) singled home Luke Johnson (Sr., Paynesville) and Siens hit a sac fly to score Novak for an 8-1 advantage.
The Eagles scored one in the eighth on two walks, a hit by pitch, and a fielder’s choice and then put together a threat in the ninth with a three-run homer, but it was too little, too late as the Gusties secured the win.
Nick Hentges (Fy., Edina) started on the mound and pitched two scoreless innings with one hit allowed. Noah Meffert (Jr., Minneapolis) followed with a scoreless and hitless third frame, while Jackson Thielen (Fy., Eden Prairie) went four shutout innings with just one hit allowed to earn the win.
Jack Hanson (Sr., Minnetonka) led at the plate, batting 3-for-4 with a run, double, and hit by pitch.
The Gusties return to MIAC action Saturday for a doubleheader at Saint Mary’s.