TUCSON, Ariz. – The Gustavus softball team split a pair of games Saturday at the Tucson Invitational, losing to UW-La Crosse 7-4 before beating Crown 6-0 to move to 6-3 overall on the season.
Gustavus 4, UW-La Crosse 7 | BOX SCORE
After a scoreless first inning, the Eagles got on the board with a solo home run in the second frame. Gustavus answered in the bottom half as Nathalee Boissiere (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) doubled and scored on a Hannah Heacox (Jr., Stillwater, Minn.) single.
UW-La Crosse took a comfortable 5-1 lead in the third with four runs on four hits. The Gusties got one back in the bottom of the inning on a solo shot off the bat of Emily Webb (Fy., Maple Lake, Minn.). The Eagles regained a four-run lead in the fourth, before Gustavus responded once again with a pair of runs in the bottom half. Heacox singled and Jena Willis (Jr., Kalispell, Mt.) walked to force a pitching change. Jessica Williams (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) then sacrificed both runners up a bag, leading to a two-run double by Webb. After four frames, Gustavus trailed 6-4. UW-La Crosse added an insurance run in the fifth for a 7-4 advantage, which stood for a final.
Webb led the Gusties at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a run and three RBI. Heacox also had multiple hits, going 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI. Heacox suffered the loss in the circle, tossing five innings with seven runs on seven hits, three strikeouts and four walks.
Gustavus 6, Crown 0 | BOX SCORE
The Gusties rebounded nicely in the second game of the day, shutting out Crown 6-0. The Black and Gold scored what proved to be the game-winning run in the first inning as Rachel Malo (Jr., Owatonna, Minn.) walked, advanced to third on a sacrifice, and scored on an error. The Gusties added another run in the second as Jessica Neuman (So., Elk River, Minn.) scored after singling and later crossing home on a Malo single.
Gustavus lit up the scoreboard in the fifth with four runs on four hits and one Crown error. Malo, Heacox, Webb, and Addy Nelsen (Sr., Willmar, Minn.) all scored in the frame. Nelsen had the big hit with a two-run triple.
Williams earned the win after four innings of work. She gave up two hits and struck out three. Willis tossed three innings of relief and allowed two hits with two strikeouts.
Gustavus wraps up the Tucson Invite at 9 a.m. Sunday against UW-Eau Claire.