SAINT PETER, Minn. - The Gustavus baseball team concluded its 2024 campaign Monday at the Gustie Baseball Field with a 9-2 win over Crown College. The Gusties finish the year with a 23-16 record and just one game out of the MIAC playoffs at 12-8 in the league.  

Once Saint Mary's defeated Concordia in the second game of their conference doubleheader, which eliminated the Gusties from playoff contention, Head Coach Brad Baker gave a nod to a number of graduating seniors with impromptu ceremonial substitutions. Noah Meffert, a career pitcher, got a chance to hit in the seventh and responded with his first career hit - a single down the left field line. Four batters later, Gavin Baker drew a bases loaded walk and was taken out of the game to a standing ovation. Between the eighth and ninth innings, Bryce Novak took the field alone and found himself in center field for the final time in his standout career. Novak was then subbed out to a standing ovation, leaving the field as the program's all-time hit record holder and arguably the greatest player in program history. Jaeden Kenward then wrapped up his collegiate career by sealing the victory on the mound in his second career appearance. 

Danny Gavin's sac fly in the fourth to score Luke Siegle proved to be the game-winning run, giving the Gusties a 3-2 lead. The home teams added three runs in the fifth and another three in the seventh for the convincing win. 

Gavin lead the team at the plate, batting 3-for-3 with four RBI and a walk. The Gusties used a different pitcher in all nine innings, allowing two runs and eight hits with nine strikeouts. 
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