ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The Gustavus softball team traveled to Bethel on Saturday afternoon and fell in game one 3-0 before responding in game two for a 3-1 win. With the results the Gusties move to 15-19 overall and 6-14 in the MIAC.
In game one the two teams played scoreless the first four innings. Aly Freeman (Jr., Omaha, Neb.) had allowed just two hits in the first four frames but was relieved in the middle of the fifth by Ashley Neuenfeldt (So., Bloomington, Minn.). Freeman finished with 4.1 innings pitched, one earned run, and just the two hits allowed. After the Gusties got out of the fifth allowing just one run, the Royals got to Neuenfeldt in the sixth for two more runs to extend their lead to 3-0. Gustavus went down 1-2-3 in the seventh to end the contest.
Bethel outhit Gustavus in the contest 6-3 with the three Gustavus hits going to Neuenfeldt, Sydney Swenson (Fy., Chaska, Minn.), and Xandra Zachman (Fy., Saint Peter, Minn.).
Game two started in the same fashion in game one with neither team scoring a run the first four innings. The Gusties struck first this time scoring in the top of the fifth thanks to a hit from Kaylyn Leonard (Fy., Plymouth, Minn.), a sac bunt, and a two-out Caitlin Kammerer (Jr., Watertown, Minn.) RBI single to put Gustavus ahead 1-0. The Black and Gold were able to score two more runs in the seventh thanks to hits from Emily Carlson (Jr., Burnsville, Minn.), Ashley Beise (Sr., Loretto, Minn.), and Kammerer. In the bottom of the seventh, the Royals finally got to Neuenefeldt for a pair of hits and a run but a lineout ended the game.
Neuenfeldt threw all seven innings, allowed seven hits, and one run, while striking out five.
The Gusties outhit the Royals 9-7 in the contest with Leonard and Kammerer each recording two with Leonard also scoring two runs.
The Gusties will next be in action on Saturday when they host for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.