SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus softball team hosted Carleton for its final conference game of the regular season and finished with a 6-4 loss and a 7-4 win. With the split the Gusties end conference play 8-14 and move to 15-17 overall.
“The first game was tough for us and disappointing because we knew to give ourselves a chance for postseason, we needed to take care of business today so that was a heartbreaker,” said Head Coach Coley Ries. “It was nice to see the fight at the end and show that we had that in us. Being able to come into the second game and get the win was great. Piper battled through some really warm weather that we aren’t used to and did a good job of sticking with it. Kayla has been absolutely hot at the plate and continued that streak on today.”
Gustavus 4, Carleton 6 | Box Score
The Knights took a quick lead, putting up two runs in the first inning, tallying another in the third, and three more in the sixth.
Gustavus entered the bottom of the sixth inning scoreless until Ashley Neunfeldt (Sr., Bloomington) launched the ball deep into left field for a homerun.
The Gusties rallied in the final frame making a double play and a ground out before applying offensive pressure.
Kayla Ruud (So., Savage) brought her momentum from her performances against Crown with a two run single cutting the deficit in half. Neunfeldt lined a single to left scoring Taylor Braun (Fy. Cologne, Minn.) With two outs, the Knights made a pitching change and were able to save the game. Despite the scoring frenzy in the seventh, the Gusties fell in the 6-4 final.
Neunfeldt pitched a complete game allowing five earned runs on eight hits.
Gustavus 7, Carleton 4 | Box Score
Both teams held each other scoreless through two innings. Piper Otto (Fy., Brooklyn Park) efficently tossed a three pitch third inning before Kenzie Skuza (Jr., Princeton) laced a two run double to centerfield. Carleton tied up the game in the top of the fourth inning and took a one run lead in the fifth.
Madelyn Mueller (Fy., North Mankato) made a retaliating bunt play in the bottom of the fifth, stealing second, third, and scoring on the game tying run from Neunfeldt’s 100th career hit.
Ruud pushed the lead over the edge in the bottom of the sixth, firing the ball into center field for a bases clearing double, before coming in on the seventh run. Ruud paced the offense finishing the game going 3-for-3 with three RBI.
The Knights added one more run in the final inning but the Gusties came out on top of a 7-4 win.
Otto was credited with the win with her seven innings in the circle, allowing four runs off of eight hits and striking out three batters.