ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — The Gustie softball season came to an end Saturday, suffering a 1-0 loss to MIAC Regular Season Champions Bethel. The Gusties and Royals combined for only six hits in the entire game, as Piper Otto (Sr., Brooklyn Park) and Bethel pitcher Kayla Simacek put on a clinic in the semifinal matchup, combining for 15 strikeouts.
Bethel scored the only run of the game in the first inning on an RBI double down the right field line.
The Gusties’ only hit came in the top of the sixth, as Kayla Ruud (Sr., Savage) sent a single to left field. The base running of Taylor Katzenmeyer (Fy., Hopkins) put the Gusties in scoring position, but they were unable to capitalize to even the score.
Otto was impressive in the circle, allowing just five hits from the dugout of the nationally-ranked Royals in a full six innings pitched. Otto walked only one batter and struck out seven, her second-highest mark this season.
“I’m so incredibly proud of the season this team put together,” said Head Coach Coley Ries Welter. “Every year we take another step forward, and with a young core the future is very bright. Kayla, Kate & Piper left the program better than they found it and should be extremely proud of their careers.”
The Gusties end their season with a record of 24-18, the best the program has seen since the 2017 season. The Gusties’ 24 wins are the most since 2016, when the team finished 26-12.
well done Gusties