St. Peter, Minn. – The Gustavus Adolphus softball team saw its seven-game winning-streak come to an end on Wednesday afternoon, as third place Augsburg used a four-run inning to come away with a 6-3 victory in game one. In game two, the Gusties were able to rebound and scrape together a hard-earned 2-1 win in 10 innings to salvage a split.
With its second conference split of the season, Gustavus drops into sole possession of second place in the league standings with a record of 18-2 in the MIAC and 26-8 overall. Augsburg remains in third place with an 11-9 record in the MIAC and an 18-20 mark overall.
Game One
The Auggies scored the first run of the doubleheader on one-run single Allyson Ruedy in the top of the first inning.
Gustavus would record two hits and leave seven runners on base before getting on the scoreboard in the fourth inning. By that time, Augsburg had extended its lead to 2-0 on Ruedey’s second RBI of the game, this time a double to right field.
The Gusties cut the lead to 2-1 in bottom of the fourth when Sarah Rozell singled to right-center field to bring home Jen Ulmen who reached on a walk. In what was a major turning point in the game, Gustavus was unable to capitalize with the bases loaded and nobody out later in the inning. Relief pitcher Kylee Persing was able to buckle down and retire Carly Klass, Dee Dee Arnold, and Lisa Klass in order to end the inning with the bases still full.
The Auggies took that momentum into the top of the fifth, scoring four runs on four hits to grab a 6-1 lead. Kelly looped a two-run single down the right field line, and Ruedy registered another RBI with a single to left.
Gustavus managed two runs in the final inning of the game, bringing the score to a final at 6-3. Jen Ulmen brought Caitlin Whitney home to score on a sacrifice fly to center field, and Rozell doubled over the left fielders head to plate Kailey Morgan.
Kate Rentschler suffered the loss (13-4) in a four-inning outing. Rentschler allowed six runs (four earned runs) on five hits. Kylee Persing picked up the win, going four innings and allowing two runs on four hits.
Brittany Brenke and Sarah Rozell led the Gusties at the plate. Brenke went 3-for-4, while Rozell went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Augsburg’s Ruedy finished 3-for-4 with a double and three RBI.
Gustavus improved to 2-2 in extra-inning games with a 2-1 victory in 10 innings in the nightcap.
Rozell picked up the complete-game victory to improve to 14-2 on the season. The frosh allowed one run (zero earned) on seven hits while striking out eight batters and walking four.
It was Gustavus taking the early 1-0 lead in the game two, scoring a run in the bottom of the third inning. After Shelby Nosan singled through the infield to lead off the inning, Lisa Klass brought her home two batters later with a single to left.
The Auggies took advantage of a Gustavus error in the fifth inning to tie the game at 1-1. Augsburg left the bases loaded in both the fourth and fifth innings.
Gustavus managed to get runners aboard in the fifth and seventh innings, yet couldn’t come up with the big RBI and the game went to extra innings tied 1-1.
In the 10th inning, the game went to the international extra-inning rules and a player was placed on second base at the start of each half inning. After Rozell sat down the Auggies in order in the top of the 10th, Gustavus took advantage in the bottom half. With Brenke placed on second, Kailey Morgan kicked the inning off with a bunt single, advancing Brenke to third. Kate Rentschler picked up the game-winning single on the next at-bat, giving the Gusties a 2-1 victory and the series split.
Shelby Nosan led the Gusties at the plate with a three-hit performance. Nosan went 3-for-4 with a run and a stolen base. Brenke, Morgan, and Rentschler all notched two hits in the contest.
Gustavus registered 10 hits to Augsburg’s seven in the game. Both teams had trouble picking up RBI over the course of the contest, as the Gusties left 12 runners on base and the Auggies left 15.
Persing suffered the loss (10-8) after allowing one run on six hits in four and two-thirds innings.
The Gustavus softball team will close out its regular-season schedule on Saturday, April 28 with a doubleheader against Saint Mary’s in Winona, Minn. First pitch of game one is set for 1:00 p.m.