Baseball Sweeps To Start Tucson Trip

TUCSON, Ariz. – The Gustavus baseball team started its spring break trip on the right foot with a pair of wins Saturday at the Kino Sports Complex. The Gusties defeated UW-Superior 10-4 before shutting out Grinnell 4-0 to improve to 6-3 overall.

Gustavus 10, UW-Superior 4 (Box Score)

The Gusties scored one run in the first inning and three more in the second and never looked back. Isaiah Welckle (Sr., Minneapolis, Minn.) scored the first run of the game after doubling and later crossing home on a ground out. The three-run second frame was highlighted by a two-run double off the bat of Brice Panning (Fy., Hamburg, Minn.).

UW-Superior scored a pair of runs in the third inning on three hits and the score read 4-2 until the Gusties responded with three runs in the fifth. Brock Peterson (Jr., Cannon Falls, Minn.) hit a two-run triple, followed by an RBI base-hit off the bat of John Lundquist (Jr., Rochester, Minn.).

The Gusties added three more in the seventh. Josh Chatfield (Sr., Apple Valley, Minn.) doubled and scored as Nolan Lepel (Jr., Plato, Minn.) ensued with another two-bagger. Lepel then scored on a double steal. Lundquist followed with an RBI double to score Peterson, who reached on a single.

The Yellowjackets scored two in the ninth, but it was too little, too late as the Gusties cruised to a six-run victory.

Connor Kern (Sr., Hutchinson, Minn.) went the distance on the mound, allowing four runs on 10 hits with five strikeouts and two walks. Lundquist led the team at the plate, going 4-for-4 with a run, two doubles, two RBI, and a stolen base. Peterson was next in line, batting 3-for-4 with three runs, two RBI, a triple, and a stolen base.

Gustavus 4, Grinnell 0 (Box Score) | Photo Gallery

The one-two punch of Adam Stockwell (So., Apple Valley, Minn.) and Casey Lewandoski (Jr., Fairbanks, Alaska) kept the Grinnell bats silent in a seven-hit shutout. Stockwell pitched the first seven innings, giving up seven hits with two strikeouts, while Lewandoski tossed the final two frames without allowing a hit.

Peterson scored the first run of the game in the second inning, which proved to be the game winner. He doubled and later scored on a double steal. The Gusties added two more runs in the fourth. Lepel doubled and scored on a single off the bat of Matt Berkner (So., Sleepy Eye, Minn.). Berkner later scored on an error. The Black and Gold added their fourth and final run of the game in the seventh. Danny Carlson (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) doubled and scored on a single by Chatfield.

Peterson led the team at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a run, double, and a walk. Lepel (2-4, R, 2B) and Chatfield (2-4, RBI) also had multiple hits.

Gustavus continues play at the Kino Sports Complex at 1:30 p.m. (PST) tomorrow against Middlebury.