ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The Gustavus baseball team split its doubleheader Sunday at Washington University, ending the four-game series 1-3 against the Bears. The Gusties claimed today's first game 6-1 but dropped the second 3-2, moving to 8-5 overall. 

Gustavus 6, WashU 1

The Gusties took advantage of an error in the first as Bryce Novak reached and later scored on a fielder's choice RBI by Chris Knowles.

Gustavus hit for the team cycle in the third. Mitch Casperson hit a solo home run in the third, his second of the season, followed by a double by Novak, RBI triple by Drake Siens, and RBI single by Gavin Baker for a 4-0 lead. Siens' triple was the ninth of his career, which is tied for third most in program history. 

Making his fourth start of the season, Luke Siegle worked his way out of numerous jams to pitch five scoreless innings. Siegle stranded the bases full in the first inning, coaxed an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded in the third, and left two runners in scoring position in the fifth to wrap up his day on the mound. He allowed five hits and struck out four batters. 

The Gusties gained a 6-0 lead in the sixth as Ross Hebel hit a sac fly to score Gavin Baker and Sam Schneider followed with an RBI single up the middle to score Knowles. The lone run for the Bears came in the seventh after a bases-loaded hit by pitch. 

Hunter Sheehan closed out the final 2.2 innings on the mound, not allowing a run or hit with two strikeouts.

With his second hit of the game, Novak passed former teammate Jack Hanson '23 for second all time in the Gustavus record books for career hits. Novak, who extended his hitting streak to 12 games to start the season, collected career hit 216 and only trails Gustavus Athletics Hall of Famer Tony Konicek '08, who finished his career with 228 hits. 

Gustavus 2, WashU 3

The Bears opened game two with a run in the first after a single, double, and RBI groundout. The Gusties answered in the second frame with a pair of runs. Knowles led off the inning with a single to right center, extending his hitting streak to 25 games dating back to last season. Knowles later scored on a groundout by Danny Gavin. Brady Schmitz, who reached on a single, then scored on a fielder's choice RBI off the bat of Casperson. 

WashU immediately answered in the bottom half, tying the game with an RBI double. 

Both starting pitchers settled in, not allowing a run for the next four innings, but the Bears finally got to Gustie starter Adam Biewen with a solo home run in the seventh for a 3-2 lead. Biewen went 6.1 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits with four strikeouts. 

The Gusties had the tying run in scoring position in the ninth inning, but a strikeout ended the game. 

Gavin (2-4, RBI) and Sam Schneider (2-4) paced the offense. Jackson Thielen pitch 1.2 quality innings of relief, not allowing a run with one hit and two strikeouts. 

Gustavus returns home next Sunday for its first home doubleheader since Feb. 26, hosting Bethany Lutheran. 
  Read Full Article