The Gustavus baseball team was able to salvage a doubleheader split against Carleton with a 15-14 slugfest win game two, which followed a 6-4 loss in game one on Saturday afternoon in St. Peter, Minn. The Gusties put seven runs on the board in the fifth inning of game two, then held Carleton to three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to hold for a one-run victory. Cody Sukalski was the top Gustavus hitter of the day, going 6-for-8 with two runs and three RBIs.
The score was tied 1-1 after one inning in game one. Andrew Woitas singled up the middle, and then scored on a wild pitch three batters later in the inning to tie the game. Carleton took back the lead with one run in both the second and third innings, bringing the score to 3-1. The Gusties cut the lead to 3-2 in the bottom of the third inning when Andrew Woitas scored another run on wild pitch. Woitas was 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI in the game. Adam Bren (1-2) started on the hill for the Gusties, going three innings and giving up three runs (2 earned) on three hits for the loss.
Carleton scored three runs on two hits in the top of the fifth inning to take a 6-2 lead. Clay Dewey-Valentine had a big three-RBI double down the right field line in the inning. The Gusties would get one run in both the fifth and seventh innings, but could not close the gap on the Knights. Gustavus out-hit Carleton 8-to-5 in the game, yet two Gustavus errors would prove costly in the loss. Carleton’s Aaron Troyansky (3-7) pitched a complete game, giving up four runs on eight hits.
Both teams lit up the scoreboard in game two, as Gustavus (18 hits) and Carleton (15 hits) combined for 33 hits in the game. The two teams matched runs in the first three innings of the game, scoring one run in the first inning, and three runs in both the second and third innings, making the score 7-7 after the third. Carleton took a 10-8 lead after the top of the fifth inning, but Gustavus exploded for a seven run inning the bottom of the fifth, registering six hits within the frame.
Carleton would score three runs in the top of the seventh, yet could not plate the tying run, leaving one runner stranded and giving Gustavus the split. Michael Servis suffered the loss for the Knights, pitching two and one third innings and giving up nine runs (6 earned) on ten hits. Ryan Michaelis improved to 2-0 on the season, as he pitched two innings and gave up four runs (3 earned) on six hits. Tim Miller and Drew Block both had a big game at the plate. Miller was 4-for-5 with three runs and two RBIs, while Block was 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs. Sukalski was a perfect 4-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs.
Gustavus moves to 13-19 overall and 5-11 in the MIAC, while Carleton moves to 12-23 overall and 8-10 in the MIAC.
It was senior day at the Gustavus Baseball Field, as seniors Willy Hanson, Chad Eul, Tory Herman, Ryan Michaelis, Andrew Woitas, Derek Eddie, Kevin Hagen, Adam Bren, and Alan Woitas were honored for their dedication, hard work, and commitment to the Gustavus baseball program for the past four years.
The Gustavus baseball team will play its last regular season home doubleheader on Monday, May 3, against non-conference opponent Martin Luther at 2:30pm in St. Peter, Minn.