MANKATO, Minn. – The Gustavus softball team kicked off its 2022 campaign Saturday and Sunday at the Bethany Kwik Trip Invite, played inside the Maverick All-Sports Dome, and came away with a 1-3 record against WIAC opponents.
Gustavus 0, UW-Eau Claire 1 | BOX SCORE
In a game with limited offense, UW-Eau Claire scratched across the lone run of the game in the bottom of the third after a single, stolen base, and RBI single. The Gusties’ biggest scoring threat came in the top of the third as they loaded the bases after singles from Kate Murray (Jr., Minnetonka) and Kayla Ruud (Jr., Savage), and a walk from Greta Dahlen (Fy., West Des Moines, Iowa), but a lineout to the pitcher ended the inning.
The Gusties were limited to four hits. Piper Otto (So., Brooklyn Park) suffered the compete game loss after allowing just one run on three hits, eight strikeouts, and a walk.
Gustavus 2, UW-Oshkosh 5 | BOX SCORE
After two scoreless innings, UW-Oshkosh gained a 1-0 lead in the third after single, sac bunt, and an RBI single. The Gusties answered in the fourth as Kayla Herda (Fy., Farmington) singled, advanced to second on a sac bunt by Kaylyn Leonard (Sr., Plymouth) and then scored on an RBI single by Allie Skuza (Jr., Princeton).
The Titans got some breathing room in the bottom half with three runs on four hits, including a double, triple, and a home run for a 4-1 lead. The Gusties made it a 4-2 game in the fifth as Madelyn Mueller (So., North Mankato) singled and scored on a double to right center by Dahlen.
UW-Oshkosh got that run back in the bottom half after a single, passed ball, and an RBI single for a 5-2 lead, which stood for a final.
Mueller led the team at the plate, going 4-for-4 with a run. Payton Belt (So., Indianola, Iowa) suffered the loss in the circle after allowing four earned runs on 10 hits with a strikeout and two walks.
Gustavus 9, UW-Stout 6 | BOX SCORE
The Gusties had to dig themselves out of an early hole as UW-Stout quickly put up three runs in the first and another three in the second for a 6-0 lead. The Blue Devils had six hits and took advantage of three errors in the first two frames.
The Gusties answered in the third as Dahlen singled home Mueller, who reached on a walk. Herda ensued with a walk and Leonard singled to center to load the bases, setting up a two-run single off the bat of Shelby Ringwelski (Fy., Forest Lake).
Gustavus exploded for five runs in the fourth. Herda had a bases-clearing triple to score Mueller, Ruud, and Dahlen. The Gusties executed a double steal to tie the game 6-6 as Leonard stole second and Herda stole home. The visitors then took the lead as Leonard scored on a passed ball.
Gustavus added to its lead in the sixth as Mueller singled home Skuza, who previously walked.
Mueller (2-4, 2 R, RBI, BB), Herda (2-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB), and Leonard (2-3, R) led the team at the plate.
Chloe Smallfield (Fy., Papillion, Neb.) earned the pitching win after four and two-thirds innings of relief. She did not allow a run, gave up four hits, struck out two and walked one.
Gustavus 1, UW-La Crosse 2 | BOX SCORE
Gustavus struck first in the second inning as Ringwelski singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch and third on a passed ball. Leonard followed with a single to score Ringwelski.
UW-La Crosse responded in the third with two runs on a two-out rally. A single followed by a home run put the the Eagles in front 2-1.
Three scoreless innings went by before UW-La Crosse added an insurance run in the seventh.
Gustavus had six batters collect one hit apiece. Otto took the loss on the rubber, allowing two earned runs on 11 hits with three strikeouts and a walk.
Gustavus now breaks for a couple weeks before playing a doubleheader against Bethany Lutheran on March 16.