SAINT PETER, Minn. — The Gustie bats were alive and well against Augsburg Sunday afternoon, getting two five-inning victories, totaling 22 runs between the two games. The pitching trio of Piper Otto (Jr., Brooklyn Park), Maizie Anderson (Fy., Rosemount), and Marah Hulke (Fy., Courtland) pitched two shutouts to help the Gusties improve their MIAC standing to 13-7.
Gustavus 14, Augsburg 0 | BOX SCORE
The Gusties took advantage of the lead early, as Kayla Herda (So., Farmington) scored run one thanks to three straight runs off Auggie pitcher Hostettler. This was a taste of what was to come, as the Gusties got seven runs off only two hits in the next inning. Two runs came off walks from the Auggie pitchers, while Caitlin Olafsson (Fy., Woodbury) picked up the first hit of the day, a 2-RBI double to deep left field. Kayla Ruud (Sr., Savage) added an RBI single for the Gusties, who closed out the inning with an 8-0 lead.
The Gusties nearly matched their second-inning total in the third, scoring six more, this time off three hits and three Auggie errors. Lauren Lambert (Fy., Woodbury), who was impressive against St. Scholastica the day before, picked up a 2-RBI single to right center. The Gusties added another on a walk before Kate Murray (Sr., Chanhassen) sent a sacrifice fly to right field to pick up an RBI. A single from Madi Mueller (Jr., North Mankato) loaded the bases for Herda, who reached on a fielder’s choice to score another. The Gusties closed out the inning with what would be the final run of the game, taking advantage of an Auggie error to score run No. 14 of game one.
Piper Otto pitched the complete game on her Senior Day, allowing only four hits from the Auggie dugout. Otto struck out two batters to improve her record to 8-6 this season. Six different Gusties combined for the team’s six hits, with Olafsson and Lambert each picking up two runs and two RBI as well.
Gustavus 8, Augsburg 0 | BOX SCORE
The Gusties were just as methodical in game two, this time combining for eight runs off nine hits. Madi Mueller started inning one off strong, sending a home run into right field for the early 1-0 advantage. Olafsson walked and later scored on an RBI single from Lambert for a 2-0 Gustie lead after the first.
Gustavus put together a four-run fourth, as Ruud led the inning off with a single to right field. Mueller walked, followed by an error by Auggie pitcher O’Connor to put Herda on first and load the bases. Olafsson was walked for the second time in game two to score one, bringing up Shelby Ringwelski (So., Forest Lake). Ringwelski belted a 2-RBI single to right field for a 5-0 advantage. A groundout from Lambert scored Olafsson, leaving the Gusties needing only two runs to clinch an early victory heading into the fifth.
Greta Dahlen (So., West Des Moines, Iowa) led off the fifth in impressive fashion, sending a triple to left center. An RBI single from Ruud sent Dahlen home, and Ruud advanced into scoring position on an Auggie throwing error. Kayla Herda called game, sending a single up the middle to score the eighth and final run of the day.
Maizie Anderson got the win on the mound, pitching the first four innings and adding five strikeouts to her team lead. Marah Hulke closed things off in the fifth, getting one strikeout and helping Anderson hold Augsburg to just two hits in game two. Ruud finished the second game 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs of her own, leading the Gustie nine-hit effort. Ringwelski and Lambert each added two RBI to their total as well.
The Gusties, now 20-16 overall and 13-7 in the MIAC, are back at home for their next four games, hosting Carleton Tuesday before welcoming non-conference opponent Martin Luther to campus on Thursday.