SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The Gustavus softball team traveled to St. Paul on Wednesday and took back to back losses in their series at St. Thomas with a 7-0 final in game one and an 8-0 final in game two. The Gusties move to 9 and 13 overall and 4-10 in the conference. The matchup was the final time both teams met before the program begins Division I competition next season.
The Tommies entered following a sweep against the Auggies and the Gusties were coming off of back to back splits. St. Thomas kept their bats hot to put up three runs in the first two innings. Gustavus found their defensive stride in the fourth but the Tommies were able to reignite adding a run in the fifth and two more in the sixth. Despite five Gustie hits, St. Thomas locked down their pitching with ten strikeouts for the 7-0 Gustavus loss in game one.
Ashley Neunfeldt (Sr., Bloomington) faced 30 batters in six innings.
The Gusties looked to put up better numbers in game two but the Tommies were able to get on the board in the first inning. Gustavus put on the brakes in the second frame limiting it to a one run game, but a St. Thomas homerun and a wild pitch would tack on two more in the third inning. The Gusties silenced the Tommies in the fourth inning but an explosive four run fifth inning would end the game 8-0. Kaylyn Leonard (Jr., Plymouth) finished with two hits.
The Gusties are back in action when they host Macalester on Saturday for a doubleheader beginning at 1:00.