ROCHESTER, Minn. – The Gustavus softball team wrapped up play at the Rochester Regional Dome on Saturday and Sunday, going 1-3 over the weekend. The Gusties (3-5) Saturday lost to Luther 8-3 in nine innings and responded with a 5-2 win over Ripon, before losing to Augustana 9-1 and UW-La Crosse 6-1 on Sunday.
Gustavus 3, Luther 8 (9 inn.) | BOX SCORE
The Gusties took a 1-0 lead in the second on an error and held that advantage through five innings until the Norse responded with a run on three hits and an error in the sixth to tie the game.
With the score still 1-1 after seven complete, the game went to extras where Luther gained a 2-1 lead in the eighth after a sac bunt and RBI groundout. The Gusties answered in the bottom half as Ashley Neuenfeldt (Jr., Bloomington) reached on a fielder’s choice to score Shelby Zander (Fy., Shakopee). But the Norse exploded for six runs in the ninth on four hits and an error to claim an 8-3 win.
Gustavus was limited to four hits in the nine-inning affair. Aly Freeman (Sr., Omaha, Neb.) lasted 8.2 innings in the circle with all eight runs unearned. She gave up 16 hits , struck out seven, and walked four against 48 batters.
Gustavus 5, Ripon 2 | BOX SCORE
After five scoreless innings, the Gusties took a 3-0 lead in the sixth. Neuenfeldt reached on a walk and later scored on an error. Xandra Zachman (So., Saint Peter) singled to right to score Emily Carlson (Sr., Burnsville). Caitlin Kammerer (Sr., Watertown) then singled home Kaylyn Leonard (So., Plymouth).
Ripon cut the deficit to one in the bottom half with a pair of runs on four hits, but the Gusties added two insurance runs in the seventh. Kate Murray (Fy., Minnetonka) doubled to right field and later scored on a single by Allie Skuza (Fy., Princeton). Marissa Marsolek (Sr., Savage) then grounded home Neuenfeldt.
Mackenzie Brey (Fy., Saint Peter) earned the win on the rubber, pitching five innings with zero earned runs on three hits and six strikeouts. Amara Packey (So., Fridley) tossed the final two innings with two earned runs on five hits and a pair of strikeouts.
Gustavus 1, Augustana 9 | BOX SCORE
Augustana took a 4-0 lead after the first two frames and never looked back. The Gusties’ lone run came in the third as Sydney Swenson (So., Chaska) doubled and scored on a ground ball by Kammerer.
Augustana put the nail in the coffin with five runs in the seventh.
Kayla Ruud (Fy., Savage) (2-3) and Swenson (2-3, R, 2B) led at the plate. Neuenfeldt suffered the loss after two innings, allowing four runs (one earned) on four hits. Freeman pitched four frames of relief, allowing three earned runs on six hits. Packey closed out the final inning with two runs on three hits.
Gustavus 1, UW-La Crosse 6 | BOX SCORE
The Eagles scored twice in the first inning and held the lead for the remainder of the game. They added a solo run in the third and three more in the fifth before the Gusties scored their lone run in the seventh. Neuenfeldt reached on a fielder’s choice and later crossed home on a pop out by Freeman.
Brey took the loss in the circle after pitching 4.2 innings, allowing six runs on eight hits with four strikeouts and six walks. Neuenfeldt completed the game with four strikeouts against five batters.
Carlson led at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a walk.
Gustavus next competes March 18-19 at the Bethany Lutheran Invite.