The Gustavus softball team swept Saint Mary’s by scores of 2-0 and 3-2 on Thursday afternoon in St. Peter to extend its winning streak to 16 games. The Gusties are now 22-2 overall and 12-0 in the MIAC. Leading the way for the Gusties was senior pitcher Joyce DeWitz who pitched two complete games and allowed just nine hits while striking out 13. Julie Mahre and Emily Klien sparked the Gustie offensive attack as each player had three hits in the doubleheader.
In game one, the Gusties scored the first and only runs of the game in the third inning. Erin Ge reached on an error and came around to score as Julie Mahre hit an RBI double. Mahre then stole third and scored on an error by the catcher to make the score 2-0. The Gusties held the lead as Joyce DeWitz scattered four hits while striking out nine to get the win.
In the second game, Saint Mary’s scored two runs off three hits to make the score 2-0 in the top of the third inning. Gustavus answered back in the bottom of the third as Julie Mahre hit a solo home run to make the score 2-1 in favor of Saint Mary’s. The Gusties scored two runs in the fourth inning as Rachael Click reached on an error and was advanced to second on an Abby Bernstein sacrifice bunt. Emily Klein then doubled to bring Click in and scored on an error by the left fielder to make the score 3-2 in favor of Gustavus. The 3-2 lead would be enough for Joyce DeWitz as she allowed just five hits and struck out four to pick up the win on the mound for the Gusties.
Senior Joyce DeWitz moved into first place on the Gustavus all-time innings pitched list pushing her career total to 447.0. DeWitz moved past Molly Biehn (2001-04) who pitched 440.2 innings in her career. She also moved into first place in career shutouts with 16 when she picked up the 2-0 win in game one against the Cardinals. DeWitz moved into second place in complete games in a career with 46 after posting two complete games on the day. Molly Biehn ranks first with 49.
Junior Julie Mahre hit her 15th career home run in game two and now needs just one home run to tie Audrey Lenoch (2003-06) for first place with 16. Mahre also tied Lenoch for home runs in a season with eight and will set a new mark for home runs in a season with her next home run.
The Gusties will now play two conference doubleheaders in St. Paul this weekend. On Saturday, Gustavus will play at St. Catherine at 1:00 pm and then on Sunday the team will face Macalester at 1:00 pm at Dunning Field.