SAINT PETER, Minn. – Weston Lombard (Sr., Stillwater) made history on Monday afternoon. In his seventh career start, Lombard tossed a nine-inning no-hitter as Gustavus baseball completed the three-game series sweep with a 2-0 victory over Bethel. The Gusties, who have now swept four conference series, improve to 18-2 overall and 13-2 in the MIAC, while the Royals drop to 15-12 overall and 9-8 in the league.
Lombard’s no-hitter is the first by a Gustavus pitcher since Josh Spitzack ’06 threw a seven-inning no-hitter in a 5-0 win over Carleton on April 4, 2005. It’s also just the third no-hitter in the past 46 years of Gustie baseball.
The Royals’ biggest threat came in the third inning as they started the frame with consecutive walks. Ethan Mocchi (Sr., Champlin) made a heads-up play by getting the lead runner out at third on a chopper in front of the plate for the first out. The Royals advanced both runners into scoring position on a groundout, but a lineout to right field ended the threat.
Gustavus scored what proved to be the game-winning run in the third inning. Jake Christianson (Sr., Cannon Falls) laced a single to right, stole second, and scored on a single up the middle by Jack Hanson (Jr., Minnetonka).
Including the final two outs of the third, Lombard retired nine consecutive batters before beaning the Royals’ No. 2 hitter in the sixth. But Lombard responded by retiring the final 11 Bethel batters in order, finishing with nine strikeouts and a pair of walks.
The Gustie defense also gets credit for the no-hitter with a number of impressive plays, highlighted by Nick Azar (Jr, Edina) making back-to-back assists on tough ground balls in the eighth inning.
The Gusties added an insurance run in the seventh as Chris Knowles (Fy., New Ulm) doubled and scored on a single by Patrick Timmer (So., Lakeville).
Bryce Novak (So., Cleveland) (2-4, 2B) and Hanson (2-4, RBI, SB) led the team at the plate.
Gustavus hosts Concordia for a MIAC doubleheader at 1 p.m. Tuesday.