SAINT PETER, Minn. - Playing late into the evening Wednesday, the Gustavus baseball team settled for a series split against Carleton after winning the first game 8-6 and dropping the night cap 8-7, moving to 19-15 overall and 10-8 in the MIAC.
Gustavus 8, Carleton 6
After a scoreless first inning, the Gusties took a 1-0 lead in the second as
Brayden Kohls led off with a single and later scored on a ground out by
Dylan Kopesky. The Knights were quick to respond with a solo home run in the third.
Carleton then took a 3-1 lead in the fourth without registering a hit. The Knights took advantage of two hit batsmen, a walk, RBI groundout, and a run-scoring wild pitch.
Brady Schmitz got a run back in the bottom half with a solo homer to right, but the visitors punched right back with two runs in the fifth, scoring on another wild pitch and an RBI single, making the lead 5-2.
The Gusties scored three times in the bottom half to tie the game.
Bryce Novak led off with a double and scored on a wild pitch.
Gavin Baker, who walked, scored on a single up the middle by
Chris Knowles. Kohls then doubled to right, scoring Knowles.
Gustavus took the lead for good int he sixth frame. Novak and
Gavin Baker both walked and scored on a triple down the left field line by Knowles. Knowles then scored on a single by Schmitz.
Carleton made it interesting in the seventh, scoring a run on a throwing error making it a two-run game. The Knights drew a walk to load the bases with two outs, but the runner on third was thrown out at home trying to score.
Knowles, Schmitz, and Kohls each had two hits for the Gusties.
Luke Siegle started on the mound and went 4.2 innings in a no decision. He allowed five runs on five hits with four strikeouts.
Jackson Thielen earned the win after 1.1 innings of relief and
Hunter Sheehan picked up his second save of the season, securing the final three outs of the game.
Gustavus 7, Carleton 8
The Knights scored three runs in the first inning without collecting a hit, taking advantage of four walks, a sac fly, and two errors. The Gusties responded with a run in the bottom half as Novak singled and scored on a base hit by Knowles.
Four innings went by without a run until the Knights went up 5-1 in the sixth on two hits, two errors, and a wild pitch. Gustavus was quick to answer again with a pair of runs in the bottom half. Siegle drew a two-out walk and
Joe Burns followed with a pinch hit home run to right center.
The seventh and eighth innings were without a run before Carleton increased its lead to 8-3 in the ninth after a two-run homer and a sac fly.
Down but not out, the Gusties finally got to Carleton starter Ryan Antrim, who was hoping for the complete game victory. Siegle sparked the comeback effort with a leadoff homer to left.
Dylan Kopesky followed with a single and
Mitch Casperson ensued with a pinch hit double, setting the stage for Novak. The Gustie leadoff batter connected with a two-run double down the left field line, tying the MIAC all-time career hits record of 252 with Carleton's Hayden Tsutsui (2013-16). The double knocked Antrim out of the game.
Danny Gavin then singled to put runners on the corners. After a groundout, Knowles was intentionally walked to load the bases. Schmitz then lined a shot off the third baseman's glove and the Carleton defense was able to recover to get the force at third. Kohls walked to the load the bases, putting the tying run at third and winning run at second, but a strikeout ended the game.
Knowles led the offense, hitting 3-for-4 with an RBI and a walk.
Jacob Weckop had a solid relief outing, tossing 3.1 innings with one earned run on three hits and two strikeouts. Baker finished the final three innings on the mound, allowing just one earned run on three hits with a strikeout.
Gustavus and Carleton will face each other again Friday in Northfield for a non-conference doubleheader.
