CLAREMONT, Fla. — The Gustavus softball team came up empty on the second game day of the team’s Florida trip, falling to Luther 3-0 and Millikin 6-2.
Gustavus 0, Luther 3 | BOX SCORE
The Gusties and the Norse, meeting for the second time this season, played nearly six innings without a single run, as the two pitchers dueled from the mound to keep their teams in the game. For the Gusties, it was Piper Otto (Jr., Brooklyn Park) who allowed only four hits in six innings pitched. For the Norse, Kendra Cooper threw a complete game, allowing only one hit.
The Norse scored all three of their runs in the sixth, as a 3-run homer from Leah Crown sealed the deal for Luther, defeating the Gusties for the second time this season. Lauren Lambert (Fy., Woodbury) tallied the Gusties’ only hit of the game, a single in the fifth inning.
Gustavus 2, Millikin 6 | BOX SCORE
Both teams put up runs early to start the game, as the Big Blue of Millikin put one on the board in the first. The Gusties tacked on two of their own in response in the first, but that would be the only offense they would get for the rest of the day.
A double from Rachel Kawiecki (So., Richfield) scored a waiting Madi Mueller (Jr., North Mankato) on second. Kawiecki took advantage of two Big Blue errors to advance to third and then score for a 2-1 Gustie lead.
Millikin added one to tie things up at the top of the second, but hit their stride in the third, putting four on the board for the eventual 6-2 final. Maizie Anderson (Fy., Rosemount) picked up the loss on the mound, as the Big Blue scored six runs on four hits on Anderson. Marah Hulke (Fy., Courtland) held the Big Blue to four hits in four innings of relief, getting seven strikeouts in the process.
Kawiecki, Lambert, Greta Dahlen (So., West Des Moines, Iowa), and Kate Murray (Sr., Chanhassen) all finished the game going 1-for-3 from the plate.
The Gusties are back for two more games tomorrow, facing Hope College and Washington Jefferson at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. central.