The Gustavus softball team outscored MIAC foe Macalester 18-0 on its way to a doubleheader sweep in St. Peter by the scores of 11-0 and 7-0 on Wednesday afternoon. With the two wins, the Gusties clinched the #2 seed in the MIAC Playoffs, which will be hostedy by Gustavus on May 7-8 at Caswell Park in North Mankato.
The Gusties appeared to let off a little steam after two disappointing losses to St. Thomas on Tuesday by scoring seven runs on seven hits in the first inning against Macalester. Of the seven hits, two were doubles (Lisa Klass and Jenna Johnson), one was a triple (Andrea Brown), and one was a home run (a two-run shot by Kelly Myers). Gustavus scored three more times in the second inning including a two-run home run by Andrea Brown. The Gusties closed out the scoring with a single run in the third and claimed the 11-0 win in five innings. Erin Truebenbach picked up the win on the mound. She allowed no hits and no runs in three innings and struck out five. Kate Rentschler pitched the final two innings allowing two hits and striking out two. Jenna Johnson and Andrea Brown led the offensive onslaught as both registered two hits in two at-bats with two runs scored and three RBI.
Lisa Klass kept the hit parade rolling with a leadoff triple in the first inning of the second game. Jenny Ewert immediately followed with a single to give Gustavus a 1-0 lead. The Gusties broke the game open with five runs in the fourth inning. In the inning, Gustavus picked up four hits, but took advantage of three Scot errors in pushing its lead to 7-0. Callie Nelsen was the starting pitcher for Gustavus. She threw four innings allowing one hit and striking out five. Betsie Collins pitched the final three innings allowing just one hit while striking out five. The Gusties completed the sweep with a 7-0 victory. Lisa Klass was the hitting star as she picked up three hits in three at-bats with two runs scored and one RBI.
It was a big day for five seniors who were honored for their standout careers at Gustavus on Senior Day. Andrea Brown was 2-for-5 with two runs scored and three RBI, while Jenna Johnson was 3-for-5 with two runs scored and four RBI, and Sheila Arnold was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and one RBI. Pitcher Callie Nelsen was the winning pitcher in game two allowing just one hit and no runs in four innings of work, while pitcher Betsie Collins pitched the final three innings of game two allowing just one hit and striking out five.
Gustavus will close out regular season league play at St. Ben’s in St. Joseph on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m.