MANKATO, Minn. — The Gusties silenced the Pipers Saturday afternoon, allowing only nine hits off Piper Otto (Jr., Brooklyn Park) and Maizie Anderson (Fy., Rosemount) in two games. With wins of 4-0 and 9-0, the Gusties extended their win streak to six, posting their third MIAC sweep in a row.
Gustavus 4, Pipers 0 | BOX SCORE
The Gusties scored in only two innings to get the win over Hamline in game one. Gustavus posted a one-run third and a three-run sixth for the victory, while Otto held off the Piper bats to secure the win.
Caitlin Olafsson (Fy., Woodbury) added to her team-leading RBI total in the top of the third, singling through the right side to score Madi Mueller (Jr., North Mankato), who reached on a single to third base.
The Gusties held that 1-0 lead for three innings, before erupting for three runs in the sixth. Back-to-back singles from Lauren Lambert (Fy., Woodbury) and Greta Dahlen (So., West Des Moines, Iowa) started the inning. Lambert was eventually thrown out as Kayla Ruud (Sr., Savage) reached on a fielder’s choice, but a bunt from Kate Murray (Sr., Chanhassen) loaded the bases. A double to left center from Kayla Herda (So., Farmington) proved to be the difference-maker, scoring three for the eventual 4-0 final score.
Otto picked up win No. 5, allowing only four hits throughout the entire game, facing 25 batters and striking out four. Herda’s three-RBI double helped her lead the team from the plate, joining Lambert and Ruud with multiple hits in game one.
Gustavus 9, Pipers 0 | BOX SCORE
The Gusties wasted no time getting on the board in game two, scoring two in the first for the early advantage. That was just a taste of what was to come, as Gustavus sent Hamline home without a single run, taking game two 9-0 in five innings.
The Gusties plated a textbook performance to lead off in inning one. Mueller opened the game with a quick single before stealing second, bringing up Herda. Herda followed in Mueller’s footsteps, getting another single and stealing second with Olafsson up to the plate. Olafsson added the third straight single to score Mueller and Herda for the 2-0 advantage after one.
Gustavus tacked on three more in the fourth, as Lambert walked to start the inning. Dahlen singled up the middle to advance Taylor Katzenmeyer (Fy., Hopkins), in to run for Lambert. A double from Ruud sent Katzenmeyer home for a 3-0 lead. A sac fly by Mueller scored Dahlen, and a single by Herda closed out the inning scoring Ruud for a five-run advantage.
The Gusties wrapped things up nicely in the fifth, scoring the runs they needed to end the game early. Carly Nelson (Fy., Lake Crystal) started the inning with a double down the left field line, while Shelby Ringwelski (So., Forest Lake) added an RBI double in the next at-bat. Lambert and Dahlen posted back-to-back singles to score Ringwelski. After two outs, Madi Mueller closed out the inning with a single to center, scoring Dahlen and Lambert for the 9-0 final.
Anderson improved her record to 5-6, allowing five hits in five innings and striking out four batters. Mueller, Herda, Dahlen, and Ruud finished game two with two hits, with Mueller picking up three RBI and Olafsson adding two more to her total.
The Gusties, now 14-14 overall and 7-5 in the MIAC, are back in action tomorrow, hosting Saint Mary’s for a MIAC doubleheader at 1 p.m.