SAINT PETER, Minn. — The Gusties wrapped up their regular season play with a non-conference doubleheader against Martin Luther, sweeping the Knights by scores of 2-1 and 8-0.
Gustavus 2, Martin Luther 1 | BOX SCORE
Much like they had just a few days earlier, the Gustie bats waited until the seventh inning to come alive, scoring the two runs they needed to defeat the Knights, who took a 1-0 lead off an RBI triple in the top of the sixth. The Gustie seniors led the charge, as Kayla Ruud (Savage) and Kate Murray (Chanhassen) posted back-to-back RBI singles to get the walk-off victory.
Piper Otto (Jr., Brooklyn Park) was nearly perfect in the circle for the Gusties, getting the complete game win, allowing only two hits from the MLC dugout and striking out five batters. The Gusties posted only four hits of their own, as Murray chipped in two and Ruud and Lauren Lambert (Fy., Woodbury) collected one each.
Gustavus 8, Martin Luther 0 | BOX SCORE
The momentum from game one certainly carried over in the rematch, as the Gusties scored eight runs to end the game in five innings. Gustavus scored first, as Shelby Ringwelski (So., Forest Lake) led the inning off with a single up the middle. Ringwelski stole second and advanced to third, before capitalizing on a Knight error to score.
The Gusties added two more in the third, led by Murray, who plated another successful bunt on the day. Caitlin Olafsson (Fy., Woodbury) led a two-out rally to score Murray on an RBI double to left center, before scoring herself on an RBI single from Ringwelski.
The Gusties, with a 3-0 lead, scored five more in the fourth to earn the eight-run mandate to end the game in five innings. Murray picked up another bunt to get on base, followed by a single from Madi Mueller (Jr., North Mankato) to left field. An error sent Kayla Herda (So., Farmington) aboard, bringing up Olafsson. Olafsson sent a 2-RBI single to right, scoring Mueller and Murray. Ringwelski, clearly the hot bat of the game, picked up her third hit with a single to right to score Herda. Two more errors would score two more Gustie runs to close out the inning and the game, 8-0.
Marah Hulke (Fy., Courtland) collected the W on the mound, allowing only two hits in four innings pitched. Chloe Smallfield (Fy., Papillion, Neb.) closed the game out, allowing one hit for a total of three against the Gustie pitchers in game two. Ringwelski went 3-for-3 in game two, scoring two runs and picking up two RBI. Olafsson continued to build her RBI lead, adding three to her total, as well as two hits and two runs in the game.
The Gusties finish the regular season 23-17 overall heading into post-season play. The Gusties have clinched a spot in the MIAC Playoffs, and will await the remainder of the MIAC scores over the weekend to determine seeding. Regardless, the Gusties will open playoffs on Thursday, May 11.