The Gustavus softball team opened its Spring Break trip with a sweep of Oberlin College and DePauw University at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic in Fort Myers, Florida. The Gusties used a six-run third inning to defeat the Yeowomen, 8-0, in five innings, while needing nine innings to edge past DePauw, 7-6.
Sophmore Whitney Bartolo (Anoka, Minn.) was one of the Gustie leaders offensively, going 2-for-2 from the plate with three rbi and a pair of triples. First-year Rachael Click (Rochester, Minn.) also finished 2-for-2 from the plate with a rbi, while sophomore Erin Ge (Shorewood, Minn.) was 1-for-2 with three rbi. The Gusties pounded out 11 hits, including two triples and a double and also picked up a stolen base.
First-year Bree Lindenberg (Faribault, Minn.) picked up the win in the circle, pitching four innings with six strikeouts and a walk. Lindenberg allowed only one hit. Fellow first-year Sarah Manke (Roseville, Minn.) pitched the fifth, facing the minimum of three batters.
Against DePauw, first-year Emily Klein (Red Wing, Minn.) belted a solo home run in the second inning and a triple in the sixth, but the Gusties needed extra innings to put away the Tigers. With the international tie-breaker in effect in the ninth inning, the Gusties pushed sophomore Julie Mahre (White Bear Lake, Minn.) across the plate for the winning run.
A total of five Gusties picked up two hits with Klein leading the way. Click and senior Audrey Lenoch (Pine Island, Minn.) belted back-to-back triples to score runs in the third innings in addition to singles, while Mahre and senior Mary Furlong (Mound, Minn.) also posted a pair of hits.
Joyce DeWitz (Good Thunder, Minn.) went the distance to pick up the win. The junior allowed six runs (one earned) on eight hits with five walks and four strikeouts.
Gustavus, now 2-4, will face Colby (Maine) and Fredonia State (N.Y.) Monday as play continues at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic.