The Gustavus baseball team split an MIAC doubleheader with the Concordia Cobbers Saturday afternoon at Myrum Memorial Field in St. Peter winning 4-0 and losing 8-6. Gustavus’ Andy Schmidt pitched a two-hit, complete game shutout to earn the win in game one. The Gusties rallied for three runs in the seventh inning of game two but came up short in the 8-6 loss. Gustavus has an overall record of 9-11 and 3-3 in the MIAC, while Concordia moved to 7-12 overall and 3-3 in the MIAC.
In game one, the Gusties gained the early lead 1-0 off an RBI single by Ash Larsen to score Pat Siering who got aboard earlier in the inning with a one-out single. Gustavus came alive in the third inning when Travis Gunderson reached first on an error, Tony Konicek singled, and Ben Sherer hit his first three-run home run of the season to give the Gusties a 4-0 lead. Neither team mustered a run during the last four innings giving Gustavus its third league victory. Andy Schmidt earned the win pitching for the Gusties throwing a complete game shutout, allowing two hits and striking out eight improving his record to 3-1.
In game two, Gustavus jumped out to a 1-0 lead after the first inning when Travis Gunderson grounded out to score Aaron Madson from third base. The Gusties also scored two runs in the bottom of the third to lead 3-0. However, the Cobbers tallied eight runs in the final three innings, including four runs in the top of the seventh inning. With Gustavus trailing 8-3 in the bottom of the seventh, it was able to pull within 8-6 with two outs and runners on second and third. But, the Cobbers’ Bryan Romsa got Wade Vrieze of the Gusties to fly out to end the late rally handing Gustavus an 8-6 loss. Ben Eklo suffered the loss for Gustavus after pitching one inning and allowing four hits, four runs, and two earned runs. Concordia’s Josh Dietz earned the victory pitching six innings, allowing sevens hits, three earned runs, while striking out three.
Gustavus plays next at Bethel College in Arden Hills on Tuesday. The first pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.