In a double-header against conference rival St. Olaf on April 23, Gustavus went 2-0. The Gusties won their first game 15-2, and the second 9-8. Gustavus had the lead for the whole first game after scoring eight of its 15 runs in the second inning. Errors by St. Olaf proved to be its downfall in this game. After three earned runs, the remaining Gustavus runs were unearned. Home runs by John DeMarias and John Lundquist resulted in 2 RBI each.
St. Olaf answered with two runs in the third inning, but were unable to match the Gusties’ 15 runs, which nearly matched their season high of 16. The Gusties’ remaining runs came in the fifth inning (one), sixth (five), and seventh (one).
First-year pitcher Adam Stockwell earned his first collegiate win on the rubber to bring his record to 1-3. Stockwell went five innings, giving up six hits and two runs, while striking out four. This would help lead the Gusties to a 15-2 victory in game one.
Despite the opening dominate performance by Gustavus, St. Olaf rebounded quickly in game two and took an early 2-0 lead after the first inning. However, the Gusties answered in a big way in the third, scoring eight of their nine runs then. Five of the Gusties’ eight runs in the frame were unearned, while DeMarais notched a two-run double, and the Gusties banged out seven total hits.
St. Olaf nearly made a comeback, but its four runs in the sixth were not enough, as Gustavus was able to add a key insurance run in the sixth thanks to a DeMarais run on a passed ball.
Gustavus pitcher Sam Archer took the win on the hill, while Sam Carlson earned the save. Archer went four and two-thirds and gave up three runs on four hits and struck out four. Carlson pitched the remaining four and one-third, allowing five runs on three hits and struck out four.
Gustavus would prevail in the end, 9-8.
This success wouldn’t continue into the next double-header against Concordia on April 26 however, as the Black and Gold would drop two games to the Cobbers, losing 0-5 and 2-4. The Gusties failed to plate a run in game one, leaving eight runners on base, seven of which were in scoring position. The Cobbers scored two runs in the second, one in the third, and two more in the fifth for their five-run total.
Connor Kern pitched the complete game, allowing five earned runs on six hits with six strikeouts and three walks. Brock Peterson led the team at the plate, hitting 2-for-3. Gustavus would then drop the first game 0-5
The next game began with three scoreless innings, until Gustavus plated two runs in the fourth, taking a 2-0 lead, which it would hold until the eighth inning. But that’s when Concordia rallied for four runs and held on to complete the sweep.
Jacob Volness threw seven scoreless innings but ran into some trouble in the eighth. The leadoff hitter connected for a home run followed by a triple, ending Volness’ day on the mound. Casey Lewdandoski came in relief and allowed the tying run to cross home on a wild pitch. Four batters later, the Cobbers took the lead on a two-run homer.
The two Gustie runs in the fourth frame came after Dan Carlson and Sam Warner both singled, and John Lundquist was beaned to load the bases. Peterson then singled through the left side for two RBI.
Warner (2-4, R), Peterson (2-4, 2 RBI), and Josh Chatfield (2-4) paced the Gusties at the plate with two hits apiece, but regardless dropped the game 2-4.
The Gusties would get back on track for the first of two games against Carleton on April 30, winning 5-0. Volness’ one-hit pitching performance marked the fewest hits allowed by a Gustavus pitcher since Josh Spitzak tossed a no-hitter against Carleton in 2005. The lone Knights hit in game one Saturday came in the second inning. Volness struck out six, didn’t surrender a walk, and beaned one batter against 24 faced – three above the minimum.
The Gusties scored what proved to be the game-winning run in the third inning. Dan Carlson walked, stole second, and scored on a single off the bat of Josh Chatfield. The next inning, Gustavus added three runs. Robert D’Amato and Neil Engler singled to put runners on the corners and Joe Melles followed with another single to score a run. After a sacrifice bunt by Cody Christensen, Carlson ensued with a two-run single, giving the Gusties a 4-0 advantage.
The fifth Gustie run crossed home in the sixth inning. Cameron Hufendick singled, advanced to second on a sacrifice, went to third on a heads-up stolen base, and scored on a single by Carlson. Carlson led the Gusties at the plate, batting 3-for-3 with a run, three RBI, walk, and a stolen base. The Gusties won 5-0.
The Gusties struggled to find any momentum at the plate in game two as the Carleton pitching tandem of Gar Crowell and Cody Bohlman allowed just five hits in the shutout.
The Knights scored two runs in the third, which proved to be enough, on a single, double, and sacrifice fly. Carleton added a run in the seventh and another in the ninth for its four-run total. The Gusties left nine runners on base, five of which in scoring position.
Adam Stockwell went six innings on the mound, allowing three earned runs on six hits with four strikeouts and one walk. Kyle Pinke tossed two innings of relief, giving up three hits, striking out one and walking one. Jacob Braun threw the ninth inning and allowed one unearned run on two hits and a strikeout. John Lundquist led the Gusties at the dish, going 2-for-4. The Knights won the game 4-0.
On May 1, Sam Carlson kept the Cougar batters guessing all game as he tossed a complete game shutout, improving to 3-1 on the season. Carlson struck out five, didn’t give up a walk, coaxed 12 groundouts, and faced three over the minimum.
After a scoreless first inning, the Gusties posted three runs in the second on four hits and a UM-Morris error. With runners on second and third, Jayme Munsterman knocked in a run with single. Two batters later, Cody Christensen doubled in a run, followed by an RBI single off the bat of Isaiah Welckle. Gustavus added a run in the fourth as Christensen was beaned and later stole home. Welckle (2-4, RBI, SB), and Brock Peterson (2-3, R) led the Gusties at the plate with two hits apiece.
The pitching from the home squad continued to impress in game two as Sam Archer earned his fourth win after five scoreless innings. He struck out two and walked two. Casey Lewandoski and Connor Kern each pitched a scoreless inning without allowing a hit.
Gustavus did all its offensive damage in the first three frames. Cam Hufendick singled and later scored on a double play in the first inning. In the third, Welckle scored on an error and Dan Carlson crossed home on a groundout. Welckle led the Gusties at the plate, batting 2-for-3 with a run.
With an overall record of 16-18, Gustavus hosted its final home doubleheader of the season at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday against MIAC foe Bethel.
The Gusties then travel to St. Paul to take on St. Thomas on May 7, and then face UW-Superior on the road on May 10.