ST. PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus softball team was swept in its home opener, losing 5-0 and 8-2 to Saint Benedict on Wednesday at Hollingsworth Field. The losses drop the Gusties to 4-12 overall and 0-2 in the MIAC, while the Blazers improve to 15-5 overall and 2-2 in the league.
After two scoreless innings, the Blazers scored a run in the third inning and that proved to be the game winner in a shutout performance. The visitors added a run in the fourth and three insurance runs in the seventh to seal the victory.
The Gusties were limited to just two hits in the game – one by Ashley Beise (Jr., Loretto, Minn.) and the other by Kim Kurtzweg (Sr., Arlington, Minn.). Ashley Neuenfeldt (Fy., Bloomington, Minn.) suffered the loss after a complete game effort. She allowed five runs on 11 hits with a pair of strikeouts and walks.
The Blazers scored a run in the first inning and never trailed, controlling the game throughout. The visitors added a pair of runs in the third inning before the Gusties plated their first run of the day in the bottom half. Sidney Welp (So., St. Peter, Minn.) hit a double to the right-center gap to score Kurtzweg.
Saint Ben’s continued to add to its lead with a couple runs in the fourth, one in the sixth, and two more in the seventh before the Gusties added one late in the seventh. The Gustavus offense was once again limited, collecting just five hits from five different players. Neuenfeldt again took the loss after pitching three and one-third innings. She allowed three earned runs on seven hits. Aly Freeman (So., Omaha, Neb.) tossed the rest of the game, allowing three runs (zero earned) on four hits.
Gustavus travels to St. Thomas tomorrow for a doubleheader beginning at 3:30 p.m.