The Gustavus softball team improved to 8-2 on the season with wins over St. Scholastica (2-0) and UW-River Falls (3-2) on Saturday afternoon. Both games were played in River Falls, Wisconsin. Senior pitcher Joyce DeWitz threw all 14 innings for the Gusties picking up both wins and allowing just three hits and one earned run, while striking out 12. Rachael Click led the Gusties at the plate with two hits in four at-bats, including a two-run home run against St. Scholastica.
Against St. Scholastica, the Gusties scored twice in the bottom of the first inning on a two-run home run by Rachael Click and that would be all they would need as DeWitz was nearly untouchable on the mound. The senior from Good Thunder, Minn. did not allow a runner past second base in the game and struck out eight batters.
Against UW-River Falls, the Falcons scored twice in the bottom of the first to take an early lead. Gustavus scored twice in the top of the fourth inning to tie the score at 2-2. Emily Klein came up with the clutch hit as she stroked a single to center field scoring Abby Bernstein and Click. The Gusties scored the winning run in the top of the sixth inning when Bree Lindenberg drove a two-out, pinch hit single to left field allowing Klein to score from third base. DeWitz allowed only one hit and one earned run in the game, while striking out four and walking four. Emily Klein was the hitting star for Gustavus as she went 2-for-3 with two rbi and one run scored.
DeWitz broke the school record for career starts recording the 65th and 66th starts of her career on Saturday. DeWitz moved past Molly Biehn who recorded 65 starts from 2001-04.
Gustavus will open conference play with home doubleheaders against Bethel on Wednesday at 4 pm and Augsburg on Saturday at 1 pm.