The Gustavus Adolphus baseball team picked up their first Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference win of the season Saturday during a doubleheader split with Hamline in St. Paul. The Gusties, behind a complete game by David Wold (So., Woodbury, Minn.) and a 3-for-4 performance by Ben Sherer (Sr., Bismarck, N.D.), took the opener 5-3. Hamline took the nightcap 8-0 to leave Gustavus at 10-7 overall, 1-2 in the MIAC.
Game 1 – Gustavus Adolphus 5, Hamline 3
Gustavus pushed the game’s first run across the plate in the top of the first inning as Sherer singled down the left field line to score Pat Siering (So., Eden Prairie, Minn.), who had reached on a walk and moved to second on a single by Tony Konicek (Jr., Rochester, Minn.). Andy Schmidt (Sr., Lakeville, Minn.) singled to load the bases, but all three runners were stranded as Wade Vrieze (Jr., Richfield, Minn.) flew out to left field and Aaron Madson (Sr., North Mankato, Minn.) hit into a fielder’s choice to end the inning.
The Pipers scored three runs in the third inning to jump into the lead, scoring off back-to-back doubles by Aaron Thompson and Evan Vail and a two-run home run by Owen Waller. Hamline would not hold the lead long, though, as the Gusties rattled off four straight singles to start the fourth inning, scoring a pair of runs to tie the game. Following a Hamline pitching change, Siering was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Konicek and Sherer were retired to bring up Schmidt, who drew a walk to plate Tyler Kaus (So., St. James, Minn.) from third base.
Gustavus manufactured the game’s final run in the fifth inning as Madson reached on a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Shea Roehrkasse (So., Jackson Hole, Wyo.). A Piper throwing error on a ball hit by Kaus allowed Madson to score.
Sherer finished the game 3-for-4 at the plate with a double and a rbi. Kaus added a pair of hits for the Gusties, who out hit the Pipers 10-8. Vail finished 3-for-3 at the plate to lead Hamline.
David Wold went the distance for Gustavus, allowing three runs on eight hits. He struck out seven while walking only two.
Game 2 – Hamline 8, Gustavus Adolphus 0
Hamline took the momentum early in game two and did not look back, registering a 8-0 victory by scoring three runs in the first, two in the fourth inning and three more in the sixth inning. Gustavus starting pitcher Kraig Olson (So., Blooming Prairie, Minn.) took the loss, allowing five runs on six hits in three-plus innings of work. Gustie reliever Andrew Hoffer (So., Hopkins, Minn.) pitched the final three innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on two hits.
Hamline pitcher Kyle Foster tossed a complete game six-hitter, striking out four Gusties. The Piper defense was able to keep Gustavus runners from moving around the diamond, as a Gustie baserunner failed to reach second base until there were two outs in the seventh inning.
Sherer and Madson each finished 2-for-3 at the plate, while Vrieze and DesLauriers each added a hit. Hamline out hit Gustavus 8-6 in game two and recorded four extra-base hits (three doubles, one triple). Evan Vail repeated his game one performance for the Pipers, finishing 3-for-3 in game two and a perfect 6-for-6 on the day.
The Gusties will travel to Indianola, Iowa Sunday to face Simpson in a non-conference doubleheader.