The Gustavus baseball team recorded its second doubleheader sweep in as many days by defeating non-conference opponent Buena Vista 9-5 and 6-2 in St. Peter on Thursday afternoon. The Gusties got solid pitching from Kraig Olson in game one and Ben Eklo in game two as both starters worked five innings. Andy Schmidt came in to record a save in both games. Gustavus improves to 16-16 overall, while Buena Vista falls to 16-17-1.
The Gusties got off to a fast start in game one as the first six hitters all picked up hits. The big blow was a two-run home run by Wade Vrieze. Ben Sherer also drove in Tony Konicek giving the Gusties a 3-0 lead after the first inning. Buena Vista scored singles runs in the second,fifth and sixth innings to tie the score at 3-3, however the Gusties exploded for six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a 9-3 lead. Tony Konicek delivered a key hit in the inning when he drove in two runs with a two-out single. The Beavers did pick up two runs in the top of the seventh inning as Mike Soenen hit a two-run home run off Andy Schmidt, but the Gusties held on for the 9-5 win. Konicek led the Gusties at the plate with 3 hits in 4 at-bats and two RBI. Mike Soenen was 2-for-3 with 3 RBI for Buena Vista. Kraig Olson was the winning pitcher for Gustavus. He threw five-and-one-third innings allowing three runs and six hits. Andy Schmidt came in for one-and-two-thirds innings and allowed two runs on two hits. Adam Rath was the losing pitcher for Buena Vista. He pitched five-and-one-third innings and allowed seven runs on 10 hits.
Gustavus got off to an early lead again in game two as Aaron Madson drove in Tyler Kaus with a sacrifice fly to give the Gusties a 1-0 lead after the first inning. The Beavers countered with single runs in the second and third innings to take a 3-2 lead. Zach Habben drove in Mike Soenen with a double in the second and then Mike Koenecke singled to drive in Ben Lickteig drove in the third. Buena Vista held on to its slim 2-1 lead until the Gusties scored twice in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a 3-2 lead. Tyler Kaus came up with the big hit as he doubled to left center driving in Mike Holman and Nate Bower. Gustavus scored three more times in the bottom of the sixth to extend its lead to 6-2. Andy Schmidt came in to pitch the seventh inning and shut the Beavers down to close out the win for Gustavus. Ben Eklo was the winning pitcher for the Gusties. He scattered five hits and allowed two runs (one earned). Michael Barta was the losing pitcher for the Beavers. He limited the Gusties to three hits in five innings, but walked six batters and allowed five earned runs. Tyler Kaus led Gustavus with two hits in three at-bats with two runs batted in. Ben Lickteig was two-for-four at the plate for Buena Vista.
This was only the second meeting ever between Gustavus and Buena Vista in baseball. The two teams split a doubleheader in Storm Lake in 1997. The Gusties now lead the all-time series 3-1.