SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus baseball team opened MIAC play Monday with a doubleheader split against Hamline at the Gustie Baseball Field. The Gusties lost game one 4-1 before claiming a 7-1 victory in the nightcap. The Gusties move to 12-4 overall and 1-1 in the MIAC, while the Pipers are now 6-10 overall and 1-1 in the league.
Gustavus 1, Hamline 4 | BOX SCORE
Hamline took an early 1-0 lead in the first after a single, sac bunt, and two passed balls. The Gusties answered in the third as Mitch Casperson (So., Le Sueur) hit a leadoff home run to tie the game. The Pipers then regained the lead in the fifth with three runs on three hits and another passed ball.
Gustavus threatened with two runners on base in both the first and third innings, but couldn’t scratch across a run.
Christian Johnson (Sr., Buffalo) suffered the loss after allowing two earned runs on seven hits in five innings. He struck out five and walked two. Jack Garrison (Sr., Chanhassen) pitched a scoreless sixth and struck out the side.
Jack Hanson (Sr., Minnetonka) led the offense, batting 2-for-3 with a double and stolen base.
Gustavus 7, Hamline 1 | BOX SCORE
The Gusties got off to a quick start in the first inning as Gavin Baker (Jr., Lakeville) hit a two-out solo home run. Nick Azar (Sr., Edina) made it a 2-0 lead in the second with a deep sac fly to score Drake Siens (So., Rogers), who reached on a double.
Ethan Mocchi (Sr., Champlin) widened the Gustie lead to 4-0 in the third with a two-out, two-run double, scoring Hanson and Luke Johnson (Jr., Paynesville). The final three Gustie runs came in the fifth on back-to-back home runs. Bryce Novak (Jr., Cleveland) launched his first home run of the season well over the left field fence for a two-run bomb, followed by Hanson hitting his MIAC-leading fifth home run over the left field fence as well.
Hamline scored its lone run in the seventh after a single and an error, but that was it for the Pipers.
Casperson earned the mound victory after tossing five scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out six batters. Andrew Gustafson (Jr., Maplewood) pitched three innings of relief, allowing one unearned run on two hits. Damon Rademacher (Sr., Princeton) closed the ninth and coaxed a game-ending double play with the bases loaded.
Mochhi (3-4, 2 RBI, 2B) and Johnson (3-4, 2 R) led the offense.
Gustavus is scheduled to host Carleton at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. Stay tuned for updates on the status of that doubleheader with rain expected in the forecast.