WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — The Gusties picked up a split on their third day of competition in Florida, falling to Hope by a score of 3-2 before defeating Washington & Jefferson by an impressive 8-1 score.
Gustavus 2, Hope 3 | BOX SCORE
The Gusties scored two runs on three hits against Hope, but it wouldn’t be enough to defeat the Flying Dutch of Hope College, who scored just one more than the Gusties on five hits off Piper Otto (Jr., Brooklyn Park).
The Gusties scored both of their runs in the first inning, taking an early 2-0 lead over Hope. Madi Mueller (Jr., North Mankato) was walked to start the game and was sent home as first-year Caitlin Olafsson (Fy., Woodbury) continued her impressive play at the plate, picking up her first career home run to score Mueller.
The Gusties’ bats fell silent for the rest of the game, as Hope evened the score at 2-2 in the fifth. The Flying Dutch scored what turned out to be the game-winning run in the sixth to defeat the Gusties 3-2.
Olafsson, Mueller, and Lauren Lambert (Fy., Woodbury) finished with the Gusties’ three hits.
Gustavus 8, Washington & Jefferson 1 | BOX SCORE
The Gusties turned the tables against the Presidents, scoring eight runs on a total of 14 hits, while Maizie Anderson (Fy., Rosemount) struck out seven in six innings, allowing only one run on four hits.
The Gusties started off strong, as Rachel Kawiecki (So., Richfield) and Olafsson both scored unearned runs in the first. The Presidents responded in the third, scoring their only run of the day, an RBI single.
Gustavus added one run in the fourth on an Olafsson RBI single, but the team was most impressive in the fifth, scoring five runs on five hits. Taylor Katzenmeyer (Fy., Hopkins), in to run for Katelyn Kasper (Fy., Maple Grove), advanced to second and third on a wild pitch, and made it home on a RBI single from Isabel Reuvers (Jr., Medford). With the bases loaded, President pitcher Jordan Hinz walked Grace Gardner (Fy., Big Lake) for the team’s second of the inning, forcing a pitching change for Washington & Jefferson. An Olivia Guggenberger (Fy., Rosemount) RBI single scored one more for the black & gold, while Olafsson closed out the inning with a two-run single to score the Gusties’ final two of the game.
Olafsson led the squad from the plate, going 3-for-4 with a run and three RBIs. Guggenberger, Kawiecki, Reuvers, and Kayla Herda (So., Farmington) each picked up two hits of their own as well.
The Gusties are back for their final day of competition in Florida tomorrow, facing Colby and Westminster at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. CST.