WINONA, Minn. – The Gustavus softball team split a Saturday series at Saint Mary’s University with a 2-0 win and an 8-2 loss. The Gusties move to 8-10 overall and 3-7 in the conference.
The Gusties had a hot start in the first inning when Mackenzie Skuza got on base from a fielding error to score Ashley Neunfeldt (Sr., Bloomington) for the first run of the day. Allie Skuza (So., Princeton) plated the second run after a single from Kaylyn Leonard (Jr., Plymouth) for a 2-0 Gustavus lead. The Cardinals locked down their defense but the Gusties early lead would be enough to pick up a win in the first game.
Payton Belt (Fy., Indianola, Iowa) was credited with the win in her seven innings pitched, only allowing three hits and striking out three batters.
The Gusties looked to keep their winning momentum in the second game, but the Cardinals were the team to take the early lead in the rematch with three runs in the second inning. Kayla Ruud (So., Savage) responded in the third, hitting a double to score Madelyn Mueller (Fy., North Mankato) for the first Gustie run. Saint Mary’s added an insurance run before Neunfeldt’s double scored Mueller to make it a 4-2 game going into the fifth inning.
The Cardinals tacked on one more run before sealing the deal with a three-run homerun for the Gusties to settle for a series split in the 8-5 final.
Neunfeldt got the start, pitching the first two innings with Amara Packey (Jr., Fridley) on the mound for the remaining four.
“We just didn’t make the adjustments offensively to get the sweep. We reverted back to some of our past mistakes. Defense wins championships and when we play solid defense we can play with anyone. “