SAINT PETER, Minn. - Trailing 11-4 in the seventh inning Saturday, the Gustavus baseball team scored eight unanswered runs to complete the sweep over Concordia. The Gusties won 11-6 in game one followed by a 12-11 win in the second game, improving to 15-12 overall and 7-5 in the MIAC.Â
Gustavus 11, Concordia 6
The Gusties wasted little time in game one to gain a lead, scoring five runs in the first inning.
Bryce Novak and
Brady Schmitz both singled and then scored on a triple by
Gavin Baker. Baker scored on a single by
Chris Knowles, and Knowles scored on a triple by
Danny Gavin.
Isaac Becker rounded out the frame with a sacrifice fly to score Gavin.Â
Concordia got two runs back in the third with a two-run homer, but the Gusties answered in the bottom half as
Brayden Kohls knocked in Baker with a single up the middle. The Cobbers then tied the game in the fourth with four runs on four hits.Â
Gustavus took the lead for good in the bottom half as Schmitz hit a three-run homer. The final two runs were scored in the sixth as Gavin singled home Knowles and Baker.
Adam Biewen earned his fourth win of the season after tossing six innings. He allowed six runs on seven hits with eight strikeouts.
Jackson Thielen struck out the side in the seventh to close out the game.Â
Knowles led at the plate, batting 3-for-4 with two runs, a double, and an RBI.Â
Gustavus 12, Concordia 11
After a scoreless first, the Cobbers gained a one-run lead in the second after a walk, single, and passed ball. Two more scoreless innings passed before the Cobbers tacked on four runs in the fourth on five hits.Â
The Gusties got within one run in the fifth, scoring four runs on five hits. Schmitz and Knowles each had RBI singles, while Baker had a two-run triple.Â
It appeared the Cobbers were headed to a series split by scoring six unearned runs in the sixth, following two outfield errors by the Gusties and five straight hits for an 11-4 advantage, but the Gusties did not go quietly. In the seventh,
Mitch Casperson started a rally by reaching first on an error. He scored on a single by Knowles, which was followed by a three-run triple by Gavin. After a pitching change, Kohls welcomed the Cobber reliever with a two-run homer, bringing the score within one run.Â
In the bottom of the eighth, Casperson led off with a walk and scored on a double by Novak. After a bunt single by Schmitz and a throwing error by the pitcher, Novak scored what proved to be the game-winning run.Â
Thielen entered the game in the ninth and set down the Cobbers in order for his second save of the season.
Hunter Sheehan earned his first win of the year after tossing a scoreless eighth.Â
Novak led the Gusties at the dish, hitting 3-for-4 with two runs, two doubles, an RBI, and a walk.Â
Gustavus travels to St. Olaf on Tuesday for another MIAC twin bill.Â
Â