TUCSON, Ariz. - The Gustavus baseball team was on both ends of a shutout on Sunday to close out its annual trip to the Tucson Invitational. The Gusties were blanked 5-0 by Wesleyan (Conn.) to start the day and then routed Sul Ross State (Texas) 13-0 to finish the trip 5-2 while moving to 7-2 overall. 

Gustavus 0, Wesleyan 5

For the first time all season, the Gusties played a pitchers' duel but it was Wesleyan's Patrick Murphy winning the battle after tossing seven scoreless innings. Murphy's performance mirrored last season's matchup in Tucson as he also tossed seven scoreless frames against the Gusties. 

The Cardinals started the game with two runs in the first inning off Gustie starter Luke Siegle. Wesleyan benefited from an error to score the first run and then plated another unearned run on an RBI single for a 2-0 lead after one. After a scoreless second and third, the Cardinals added two more runs in the fourth after an RBI squeeze bunt and RBI single. 

The final Cardinal run was scored in the eighth on an RBI triple. The Gusties left 10 runners on base, including six in scoring position, but couldn't come up with the clutch hit. 

Chris Knowles (2-4) and Brady Schmitz (2-2, BB) led at the plate. Siegle suffered his first loss of the season after making his third start. He allowed two earned runs in four innings with four hits and six strikeouts. Jackson Thielen tossed the final four frames, allowing one run on two hits with three strikeouts. 

Gustavus 13, Sul Ross State 0

Gustavus put the Wesleyan loss in the rear view mirror quickly, scoring what proved to be the game-winning run in the first inning on an RBI single by Knowles. The Gusties took a 4-0 lead in the third after Drake Siens drove in a run with a single and Knowles followed with a two-run single. 

The Gusties put the game out of reach in the fourth with a pair of homers. Siens plated three runs with his fourth homer of the season, while Knowles also blasted his fourth homer, a two-run shot, making the score 9-0. 

Four more insurance runs were added in the fifth. Siens hit an RBI double and Knowles went yard for the second time in the game and fifth this season for a three-run shot. 

Making his second start of the season, Adam Biewen earned his first win after five shutout innings. He allowed three hits with three strikeouts. Nick Hentges and Owen Robinson each pitched a scoreless inning to close out the game. 

Siens and Knowles each had four hits in the game. Siens also scored four times with five RBI, while Knowles scored twice with eight RBI. 

Gustavus returns home for a week of practice before traveling to St. Louis, Mo. for four games against Washington University on Saturday and Sunday. 
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