ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The Gustavus softball team traveled to Bethel on Saturday, taking a 10-2 loss in the first game and a 7-0 loss in the second outing. The Gusties drop to 7-5 overall and 2-2 in the MIAC, while the Royals improve to 10-4 overall and 3-1 in the league.
Gustavus 2, Bethel 10 | Box Score
The Gusties were off to a hot start in the first inning with Madelyn Mueller (Fy., North Mankato) getting on base from a walk, stealing second, reaching third on a throwing error, and scoring on a wild pitch. Bethel retaliated with two runs in the bottom half to take a 2-1 lead. The Royals put the pressure on tacking on two more runs in the second. Gustavus entered the top of the third with Kayla Ruud (So., Savage) scoring on a single from Ashley Neunfeldt (Sr., Bloomington) to bring it to a 4-2 score.
Bethel added two runs in the third, one in the fourth, one in the fifth, and a final run in the sixth with Gustavus unable to bring back the momentum, chalking it up to a 10-2 loss.
Neunfeldt suffered the loss after the 3.1 innings and Amara Packey (Jr., Fridley) pitched the final 1.2 innings.
Gustavus 0, Bethel 7 | Box Score
Looking to bounce back in game two, the Gusties found their defensive stride to shut out Bethel for the first two innings keeping the game scoreless. The Royals notched three runs in the third to take the lead and tallied another two in the fourth to make the game 5-0. Bethel’s pitching staff put up a tough battle for the Gusties and despite smart offensive plays, the Royals rounded out the scoring with two more runs in the sixth inning. Gustavus was shut out in the 7-0 loss.
Piper Otto (Fy., Brooklyn Park) pitched five innings and Payton Belt (Fy., Indianola, Iowa) closed for the final inning.
“We have things we are continuing to do better each time we go out and there continues to be things we need to work on,” Ries said.
The Gusties host a Sunday doubleheader against Saint Benedict with a 1 p.m. first pitch.