The Gustavus Women’s Softball Team has had about as good of a start to a season as one could ask for. After spending over a week in Florida playing against different teams and honing their craft, the Gusties returned to St. Peter and conference competition when they played a doubleheader against Augsburg on Friday. After a slow first couple of innings, the Gusties found themselves tied with the Eagles at one run apiece heading into the sixth inning. That’s when the Gustie offense burst into flames. Once Junior Kate Murray stole second after walking to first, the Gusties started to make excellent contact with the ball.
“We knew that we had to be aggressive at the plate and we were able to take a 1-0 lead. In the sixth inning, we were able to piece together a few solid at-bats and put us ahead with some insurance,” Murray said.
Murray would end up scoring off an RBI single from First-Year left-fielder Kayla Herda. Herda would not have to wait long to get the nod to run home, as Sophomore Madelyn Mueller socked a triple that broke the game wide open. After holding strong for another half-inning, the Gusties added an insurance run in the top of the seventh thanks to good hitting by First-Year Rachel Kawiecki, Sophomore Kaylyn Leonard, and Senior Kenzie Skuza. However, Sophomore standout Piper Otto outshone them all on the mound, finishing with thirteen strikeouts in seven innings pitched. This dominant pitching performance earned Otto MIAC Softball Pitcher of the Week and lots of praise from her fellow teammates.
“Piper’s pitching in game one was insane! Our defense was solid all around and we did what we needed to at the plate,” Murray said.
Murray was not the only Gustie player to take notice of Otto’s pitching performance. First-year Chloe Smallfield also showered the veteran Gustie with compliments and believed that the sophomore hurler was the driving force in the Gusties’ 4-1 victory.
“There was never a time (in the game) where we were down and we all contributed to (winning). Piper’s thirteen strikeouts and seven consecutive strikeouts are definitely worthy of mention,” Smallfield said.
Smallfield, a fellow pitcher herself, used Otto’s performance as a measuring stick in the second game against the Eagles. She started off the game hot, retiring all three of the Augsburg batters she faced. Smallfield didn’t stop there, as she ended up pitching four innings while only allowing two hits and maintaining a shutout.
“The team had a great day altogether. We were able to put everything together and it was the best way to start the conference season,” Murray said.
And put it all together they did. The Gusties carried their offensive momentum from the end of game one into game two. The women had a five-run explosion in the third inning, as First-Year Greta Dahlen, Herda, Kawiecki, Mueller, and Leonard all contributed through great hitting and excellent base-running.
“We came in with a game plan on what pitches to attack and did just that. We had multiple strings of hits that boosted our momentum,” Smallfield said.
After an uneventful fourth inning, the Gusties were once again able to piece together a string of hits that lead to scores. Reuvers smashed the ball to left field and reached third base with a stand-up triple, and scored shortly thereafter following an Augsburg error. Mueller scored off Junior Kayla Ruud’s single, and Dahlen scored again off a single by Kawiecki. After the dust settled, the Gusties lead 8-0. Sophomore Payton Belt relieved Smallfield and did not allow a hit. After retiring three batters, the Gusties were able to enforce the mercy rule and walked away victorious. The sweep gave them confidence heading into a season where there are high hopes for this ever-improving team.
“We have big goals and high hopes for this team and this season. We look forward to competing at a high level every single game and are working towards a top spot in the MIAC tournament,” Murray said.
“We have big goals and high hopes for this team… We look forward to competing at a high level every single game.”

The Gusties will have an opportunity to do that later this week in their home opener. They host a doubleheader against St. Olaf on Thursday and hope to build on their victories against Augsburg.
“I think we are all very grateful to be able to play and have things back to normal. Covid lead to a lot of added stress and anxiety that definitely could have played a role in our game. We have been able to connect a lot more outside of softball now that Covid has become less of an issue, (so that’s been good),” Murray said.