NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Gustavus softball team Tuesday split a MIAC doubleheader at Carleton, winning game one 9-1 before a 4-2 loss. The Gusties move to 13-19 overall and 8-10 in the MIAC, while the Knights are 18-13 overall and 6-10 in the league.
Gustavus 9, Carleton 1 | BOX SCORE
The Gusties scored two runs in the first, which proved to be all they needed. Rachel Kawiecki (Fy., Richfield) singled home Madelyn Mueller (So., North Mankato), who reached on a hit by pitch. Kenzie Skuza (Sr., Princeton) later hit a sac fly, scoring Kaylyn Leonard (Sr., Plymouth) after hitting a single.
The Knights got a run back in the bottom half with a walk and RBI single, but that would be it for the home team as Piper Otto (So., Brooklyn Park) pitched the next five innings without allowing a hit.
Gustavus added two runs in the fourth as Kawiecki hit a double to score Kayla Herda (Fy., Farmington) and Mueller, who both hit singles through the left side. Three more runs were scored in the sixth. Herda tripled and scored on a single by Leonard. Kawiecki followed with a two-run home run, the first of her collegiate career.
Otto (6-11), who allowed just one hit and a run in six innings, gave way to Amara Packey (Sr., Fridley) in the seventh, who gave up one hit against four batters.
Kawiecki had her best performance of the season at the plate, batting 3-for-4 with five RBI, a double, and a home run. Mueller also had three hits in four at-bats, including two runs, two RBI, a double, and hit by pitch.
Gustavus 2, Carleton 4 | BOX SCORE
Carleton scored all of its runs in the second frame on five hits and a walk.
The Gusties answered with a run in the third as Herda doubled and later scored on a groundout by Kawiecki. In the fifth, Kawiecki batted in Mueller for her seventh RBI of the day.
Payton Belt (So., Indianola, Iowa) pitched three scoreless innings of relief, giving up three hits, while Otto tossed a hitless sixth. Chloe Smallfield (Fy., Papillion, Neb.) took the loss after giving up the four-run second.
Leonard (2-4), Belt (2-3, 2B), and Isabel Reuvers (So., Medford) (2-3) all had multiple hits.
Gustavus was scheduled to travel to Luther on Thursday but the doubleheader is canceled due to Luther needing to reschedule a conference game that day. The Gusties will host St. Scholastica at 1 p.m. Saturday.