After a slow start to the season, compiling a record of 2-4 in the first six games, the Gustavus Softball team found itself with some work to do if they wanted to have a competitive team this season. The first chance to turn things around was at the Tucson Invite that the team competed in March 14-18.

In Arizona, the Gusties proved the doubters wrong and bounced back from their slow start early in the season, winning seven out of the eight games they played in the tournament.

The Gusties played two games on the first day against Cornell College and Skidmore College and won both by scores of 10-4 and 9-1, respectively.

Junior Aly Freeman started on the mound and allowed three runs in three innings of pitching. Sophomore Ashley Neuenfeldt came in to relieve Freeman and pitched the remaining four innings, only allowing one run on two hits.

In their second game of the day, the Gusties dominated the competition, winning by a score of 9-1.

Neuenfeldt and Junior Caitlin Kammerer complemented each other throughout the second contest, both finishing with three hits, with Neuenfeldt driving in four runs and Kammerer scoring four times.

Head Coach Britt Stewart said she was impressed with the team’s strong start to the tournament and their competitive mindset going into it.

“Today was a really fun day out on the field,” Stewart said. “Our team really came together to produce two wins for a nice start to our spring trip. [Kammerer] found ways to execute, get on base, and score out for the two spot today, and we’re excited to keep seeing big things from her offensively. [Neuenfeldt] and [Freeman] pitched well and mixed pitches to keep hitters off balance all day to help us tally a pair of team wins.”

The following day, the Gusties competed in another double header and managed to keep their undefeated streak alive.

The team came out with some momentum from the previous day, beating St. Mary’s College 9-2.

The Gusties put the pressure on early, batting in five runs in the first three innings and forcing three St. Mary’s pitching changes.

Freeman had a strong showing on the mound, only allowing two runs while striking out four opponents.

The second game of the day proved to be a pitching battle between Neuenfeldt and her Mount Mary University opponent. The Gusties squeezed out a 2-1 win in a game that only saw five hits from both of the teams.

“Collectively we got the job done today with effective pitching, timely hitting, and tough defense,” Stewart said. “We have been able to see production throughout our lineup which will be vital to our success this season. All three pitchers were able to stay consistent and pound the strike zone, and our team is starting to get used to playing together defensively. We’re proud of the outcome today and looking forward to more games on Sunday.”

That Sunday, the team struggled to take hold of either of the games but still ended up splitting on the day.

In the first game of the day, Central College was able to capitalize on some early Gustie errors, scoring two runs in the second inning.

Central then followed it up by notching one more run in the third inning when the lead-off hitter doubled, was bunted over to third, and then squeezed in to give them a 3-0 lead.

In the sixth inning, Junior Emily Carlson was batted in by Neuenfeldt to make the score 3-1 and this held to the end of the game.

The second game of the day was another close one, with Gustavus earning the win by a score of 7-6.

Carlson led the team, scoring three times and First-year Amara Packey recorded her first win on the mound, pitching two innings and allowing one run on three hits.

In their last day in Tucson the Gusties proved to be up to the challenge of competing in yet another double header, going 2-0 on the day.

The first game against MacMurray College was a 9-1 victory, with Freeman’s pitching highlighting the game.

Freeman was on the mound for five innings and only allowed one hit while not letting up any runs. On top of this, she made quick work of her opponent’s opportunities to get back into the game by recording 12 strikeouts.

Game two against Edgewood College proved to be another pitching battle that Neuenfeldt was ready for. She pitched the whole game and only allowed one hit while striking out eight of her opponents. On top of this, in the fourth inning, Neuenfeldt scored the lone run for the Gusties which proved to be the game winner.

From their impressive run in Arizona, the team was honored with two members being named MIAC Athletes of the Week.

The first was Kammerer who hit in all of the games in Tucson last week and batted in the game-winning scores in both of the team’s one-run victories. She went 9-for-18 on the trip with five RBIs, three triples, and a team-leading 10 runs.

The second MIAC Athlete of the Week was Neuenfeldt who recording three wins, three complete games, and one save during her time on the mound.

The sophomore struck out 22 batters in 24 innings of work and allowed just three earned runs on 14 hits.

The Gusties are hoping to build on this recent success as they look forward to taking on St. Mary’s in a double header March 30.