Softball Sweeps Chaminade To Open 2015 Campaign

Honolulu – The Gustavus Adolphus softball team began its 2015 campaign with a sweep of Chaminade University on Monday, Feb. 2 at Sand Island Field. The Gusties kicked off their season with a 2-0 shutout in game one and then completed the sweep with a 9-5 win in game two. Gustavus will continue its Hawaii tour with a doubleheader against Hawaii Pacific University on Wednesday, Feb. 5.

Game One Recap | Gustavus 2 def. Chaminade 0

Sarah Rozell (Sr., Lakeville, Minn.) and Jena Willis (So., Glacier, Mont.) combined for the seven-inning shutout in Gustavus’s first action of the 2015 season. Rozell got the start and gave up two hits in three innings of work. Willis closed out the remaining four innings and picked up the win after allowing just one hit and striking out three.

Gustavus was finally able to break the scoreless tie with two runs in the top of the sixth inning. Addy Nelsen (Jr., Willmar, Minn.) got the rally started with a lead-off hit and later advanced to third following a sacrifice bunt and Kailey Morgan (Sr., Mound, Minn.) single. Rozell drove Nelsen in with a single up the middle, and Shelby Nosan (Sr., Baudette, Minn.) brought in Morgan later in the inning with an infield single.

Rozell, Nosan, and Kaitlyn Bicek (Jr., Northfield, Minn.) all had multiple hits in the game as Rozell went 2-for-3 with a RBI, Nosan went 2-for-4 with a RBI, and Bicek went 2-for-4. The Gusties recorded 12 hits compared to Chaminade’s four.

Game Two Recap | Gustavus 9 def. Chaminade 5

Despite trailing 4-0 after six complete innings, the Gusties were able to put together a five-run seventh to take a 5-4 advantage. After recording just two hits through the first six frames, Gustavus’s offense came alive in the seventh with six hits. Shelby Nosan got the scoring started with a two-run double to right center to the cut the lead in half (4-2). Kaitlyn Bicek doubled to right to bring in Nosan, and Addy Nelsen doubled to left to bring in Bicek, tying the game at 4-4. Jena Willis capped the inning’s scoring with a double of her own to bring in Nelsen, putting the Gusties on top 5-4.

Although the momentum shifted to the Gustavus bench, Chaminade refused to go away in the bottom of the seventh and scored a run to send the game to extra innings tied 5-5.

The Gustie bats remained hot in the eighth, scoring four runs on four hits to bring the score to a final at 9-5. Nosan brought in Paige Breneman (Sr., Sherburn, Minn.) with a one-run double, Malo scored on a wild pitch, and Carly Klass blasted a two-run home run with Nosan still on base.

Nosan finished the game 2-for-5 with two runs, three RBI, and two doubles. Nelsen went 2-for-3 with one run, one RBI, and two doubles, and Ali Hoffman (So., New Prague, Minn.) finished 2-for-4 with one RBI and a double.

Gustavus outhit the Silverswords 12-to-8 and finished with eight multiple-base hits including seven doubles and Klass’s bomb.

Jessica Williams (Jr., Plymouth, Minn.) got the start and gave up one hit through three shutout innings to go along with three strikeouts. Rozell relieved Williams and gave up three runs on three hits in two innings. Willis capped the game and picked up her second straight win by allowing two runs (zero earned) on one hit in three innings.