SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus softball team hosted Hamline on Wednesday for a doubleheader and swept in 2-1 and 8-0 wins. The team moves to 12-16 overall and 8-13 in the MIAC.
“It was really nice to get a sweep,” said Head Coach Coley Ries. “We haven’t done that since our first conference games. It definitely helps our confidence to get the job done. First game was a little tighter than we hoped for, and our goal in the second game was to put our foot on the gas and not let up. I was really proud of the way we did that.”
After being postponed from Tuesday’s rain, both teams looked to take part in the MIAC matchup before playoffs. The Pipers were able to get in the board in the first inning but the Gusties responded quickly in the second when Taylor Braun (Fy. Cologne, Minn.) bunted a single to score Kaylyn Leonard (Jr., Plymouth).
The game remained tied 1-1 until Leonard stepped up on a sacrifice fly to centerfield scoring Piper Otto (Fy., Brooklyn Park) for the game winning run. The Gusties put up three more hits in the remaining four innings
Ashley Neunfeldt (Sr., Bloomington) was credited with the 2-1 win allowing four hits and striking out seven batters in seven innings pitched.
The Gusties entered game two with every intention to silence the Pipers. In her first at bat of game two, Neunfeldt’s fielder’s choice scored Madelyn Mueller (Fy., North Mankato) to get the Gusties on the board. Payton Belt (Fy., Indianola, Iowa) returned the favor with a single to first to score Neunfeldt for an early 2-0 lead.
Gustavus used an error, wild pitch, and a walk from Hamline to find scoring opportunities. A fielders choice from Kayla Ruud (So., Savage) scored Kate Murray (So., Minnetonka) for the third run and a walk from Otto scored Ruud, tacking on another. Belt picked up her second RBI single of the game scoring Neunfeldt for a 5-0 lead just two innings in.
Hamline was unable to respond as the Gusties entered the bottom of the third. In her first at bat of the inning, Ruud singled up the middle to score Murray and made the same play in her next at bat to score Mueller for the sixth and seventh run.
Gustavus entered the fourth inning, just one run away from shutting the day down. Allie Skuza (So., Princeton) hit a single finding the left pocket and Belt scored the final run for the 8-0 final.
Rookie standout Piper Otto continued to stun batters allowing just two hits while striking out five batters and finishing the game off in a shutout five innings.
“Piper has really come into her own in the last couple weeks. She’s pitched some big games, gained confidence, and is starting to demand the ball defensively. It’s been really fun to watch her grow.”
The Gusties are back in action on Thursday when they host Crown for a doubleheader with a 3:30 first pitch.