SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus baseball team hit four home runs in a decisive 17-6 win over Crown College on Wednesday afternoon. The Gusties improve to 25-11 overall and remain undefeated at home this season at 14-0, where they have outscored opponents 150-45.
It’s hard to believe the first three innings went scoreless when a total of 23 runs were scored in less than eight full innings. Crown took the first lead in the fourth without out a hit. The Polars scored twice after a couple walks, two wild pitches, and an error.
The Gusties tallied their first run in the fourth on an error, but the Polars increased their lead to 4-1 in the fifth on three hits and an error. Gustavus got two runs back in the bottom half as Bryce Novak (Sr., Cleveland) hit an RBI single and another run was scored on a balk.
The Gusties took the lead and kept it in the sixth with three runs on two hits and an error. The home team then took a 9-4 lead in the seventh, highlighted by a 400-foot solo homer by Drake Siens (Jr., Rogers) and a two-run Patrick Timmer (Sr., Lakeville) home run.
Crown made it a 9-6 game in the eighth, scoring on an RBI single and an error, but the Gusties kicked the door down in the bottom half with eight runs on four hits, including a grand slam by Chris Knowles (Jr., New Ulm) and a mercy rule walk-off homer by Mitch Casperson (Jr., Le Sueur).
The Gusties used five pitchers in the win. Nick Hentges (Fy., Edina) was perfect the first time through the lineup before allowing two runs in the fourth. Tanner Hopkins (So., Edina) earned his second win of the season with a hitless sixth inning.
Knowles led at the plate, batting 2-for-4 with three runs, five RBI, and a grand slam.
Gustavus continues its home stand 1 p.m. Saturday for a doubleheader against St. Olaf. The Gusties can secure the MIAC championship with a win.