ST. JOESEPH, Minn. – The Gustavus softball team battled in two close games at No. 21-ranked Saint Benedict, but dropped game one 7-4 and game two 4-3. The Gusties fall to 7-13 overall and 2-4 in the MIAC, while the Bennies improve to 18-3 overall and 6-1 in the league.
Gustavus 4, Saint Ben’s 7 | BOX SCORE
The Bennies took an early 2-0 lead in the first after a walk, stolen base, RBI single, and RBI double. The Gusties scored their first run in the second as Kaylyn Leonard (Sr., Plymouth) doubled, advanced to third on a passed ball, and scored on a groundout by Isabel Reuvers (So., Medford).
Gustavus then tied the game in third. Kayla Herda (Fy., Farmington) led off with a single and later scored on an error, but the Bennies regained a 4-2 lead in the third after a leadoff home run and a sacrifice fly.
The Gusties cut the lead to one with a run in the fourth. Reuvers doubled and scored on an error. The Bennies once again responded with two runs in the bottom half after a run-scoring error and an RBI double. Saint Ben’s increased its lead to 7-3 in the fifth after a double and RBI single.
Leonard scored the fourth and final Gustie run in the sixth after a walk, wild pitch, hit-by-pitch, and RBI single off the bat of Herda.
Madelyn Mueller (So., North Mankato) led the offense, batting 2-for-4. Piper Otto (So., Brooklyn Park) pitched a complete game, allowing five earned runs on nine hits and six strikeouts.
Gustavus 3, Saint Ben’s 4 | BOX SCORE
Saint Ben’s scored three runs in the second after a solo home run and a two-run double. The Bennies increased their lead to 4-0 in the fifth with another solo home run before the Gusties started their comeback bid in the sixth. Herda and Mueller led off with consecutive singles and both scored on a double by Kayla Ruud (Jr., Savage). Leonard followed with a single to score Ruud, but the rally ended and the Gusties were unable to score the rest of the game.
Herda paced the offense, batting 2-for-3 with a run. Chloe Smallfield (Fy., Papillion, Neb.) started and went four innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits with two strikeouts. Payton Belt (So., Indianola, Iowa) finished the game with one run on three hits and a pair of strikeouts.
Gustavus next travels to Macalester on Wednesday.